Selective temporal filtering and its application to hand gesture recognition

In temporal data analysis, noisy data is inevitable in both testing and training. This noise can seriously influence the performance of the temporal data analysis. To address this problem, we propose a novel method, termed Selective Temporal Filtering that builds a noise-free model for classification during training and identifies key-feature vectors that are noise-filtered data from the input sequence during testing. The use of these key-feature vectors makes the classifier robust to noise within the input space. The proposed method is validated on a synthetic-dataset and a database of American Sign Language. Using key-feature vectors results in robust performance with respect to the noise content. Futhermore, we are able to show that the proposed method not only outperforms Conditional Random Fields and Hidden Markov Models in noisy environments, but also in a well-controlled environment where we assume no significant noise vectors exist.     

The effects of processing parameters on formation of nano-spinel (MgAl2O4) from LiCl moltensalt

Nano-MgAl₂O₄ particles were successfully synthesized at 850 °C using the molten-salt method, and the effects of processing parameters, such as temperature, holding time and amount of salt on the crystallization of MgAl₂O₄ were investigated. Nano-alumina, magnesia and lithium chloride were used as starting materials. LiCl molten salt provided a liquid medium for reaction of Al₂O₃ and MgO to form MgAl₂O₄. The results demonstrated that MgAl₂O₄ started to form at about 650 °C and that, after the temperature was increased to 1000 °C, the amounts of MgAl₂O₄ in the resultant powders increased with a concomitant decrease in Al₂O₃ and MgO contents. After washing with hot-distilled water, the samples heated for 3 h at 850 °C were single-phase MgAl₂O₄ with 30–50 nm particle size. Furthermore, the synthesized MgAl₂O₄ particles retained the size and morphology of the Al₂O₃ powders, which indicated that a template formation mechanism dominated the formation of MgAl₂O₄ by molten-salt method.     

Development of a new analytical tool to design hierarchical truss beams for natural frequency

A set of recursive equations are introduced for optimum design of a wide range of hierarchical truss beams to satisfy a minimum required natural frequency. The design equations are based on a general analytical solution, which are derived based on a critical dimensional analysis. A practical example is examined in both 2D and 3D spaces, which promises substantial mass reduction, as much as 99%, when using high order hierarchical truss beams. The results are verified by numerical evaluation of three case studies. The approach looks also very promising to design nanostructures when it comes to the problems associated with vibration.     

Change of Writing Style with Time

This study investigates the writing stylechange of two Turkish authors, Çetin Altanand Yaar Kemal, in their old and newworks using respectively their newspapercolumns and novels. The style markers are thefrequencies of word lengths in both text andvocabulary, and the rate of usage of mostfrequent words. For both authors, t-tests andlogistic regressions show that the length ofthe words in new works is significantly longerthan that of the old. The principal componentanalyses graphically illustrate the separationbetween old and new texts. The works arecorrectly categorized as old or new with 75 to100% accuracy and 92% average accuracy usingdiscriminant analysis-based cross validation. The results imply higher time gap may havepositive impact in separation andcategorization. For Altan a regressionanalysis demonstrates a decrease in averageword length as the age of his column increases. One interesting observation is that for oneword each author has similar preference changesover time.     

Experimental investigation of tornado-like vortex dynamics with swirl ratio: The mean and turbulent flow fields

An experimental simulation of tornado-like vortices is conducted in a small tornado vortex simulator in order to study the effect of swirl ratio on flow characteristics. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method is employed to quantitatively determine the tornado-vortex velocity field for swirl ratios ranging from 0.08 to 1. The radial and tangential components of velocity as well as the core radius of the tornado increase with increase in swirl ratio. The location of the maximum radial and tangential velocities is adjacent to the ground where the tornado vortex interacts with the surface. The values of normal and shear turbulent stresses indicate the existence of a laminar core for small swirl. As expected the shear stresses increase with swirl ratio as the vortex becomes turbulent. The highest turbulent production corresponds to the critical case of vortex touchdown.     

Soluble soybean polysaccharide/TiO2 nanocomposites: Biological activity,release behavior,biodegradability, and biosafety

This study aimed to produce and characterize eco-friendly SSPS nanocomposites incorporated with various concentrations of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) (1%, 3%, and 7%). The antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite films against five strains of pathogenic bacteria was examined. Salmonella typhi PTCC 1609 was the most sensitive species to TiO₂ NPs at concentrations equal to the synthetic antibiotic. The migration of TiO₂ to ethanol and acetic acid, as two food simulants increased when the initial nano-TiO₂ content increased. The release profiles for TiO₂ in two simulants of ethanol and acetic acid indicated a non-Fickian release, and the release kinetics were concentration-dependent. SSPS/TiO₂ nanocomposites degraded easily and thus have the potential to be applied as an eco-friendly packaging system. Oral administration of doses of 1, 12.5, 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg TiO₂ revealed that the dose of 50 and 75 mg/kg increased malondialdehyde (p < .001) concentration in the liver tissue. In addition, it decreased glutathione (p < .001) concentration in the liver tissue.     

New,Non‐quinone Fluorogeldanamycin Derivatives Strongly Inhibit Hsp90

Streptomyces hygroscopicus is a natural producer of geldanamycin. Mutasynthetic supplementation of an AHBA‐blocked mutant with all possible monofluoro 3‐aminobenzoic acids provided new fluorogeldanamycins. These showed strong antiproliferative activity and inhibitory effects on human heat shock protein Hsp90. Binding to Hsp90 in the low nanomolar range was determined from molecular modelling, AFM analysis and by calorimetric studies.     

Situational constraint effects on performance, affective reactions, and turnover: A field replication and extension.

Administered a demographic questionnaire, ability and personality tests, and measures of job performance, satisfaction, turnover, and situational constraints to 731 20–65 yr old store managers, 555 22–62 yr old supervisors, and 164 25–60 yr old district managers from the same company. Results replicate previous laboratory findings and show that higher situational constraints were associated with lower employee performance. The performance ratings given to managers facing the most severe situational constraints were significantly poorer than those received by managers dealing with lower levels of constraints. The presence of situational constraints is associated with employees expressing greater dissatisfaction and frustration. The group facing the highest level of situational constraints had the highest level of turnover. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exploring the recovery of fatigue damage in bituminous mixtures: the role of rest periods

Recovery capability of bituminous materials plays a significant role in the development of new technologies for extending the service life of asphalt pavements. This capability originates from various phenomena such as thixotropy, cooling, relaxation of hardening, or healing. However, their real effect on mechanical response is not clear. This article aims to investigate how rest periods (RPs) available between traffic loads can contribute to the damage recovery of bituminous materials. For this purpose, different types and durations of RPs were applied during the laboratory evaluation of fatigue resistance of these materials using the University of Granada Fatigue Asphalt Cracking Test method. The results indicate that the addition of RPs to the loading regime could lead to an extension in the fatigue life of bituminous materials. Additionally, an increase in the RP duration showed a positive impact on the resistance of the materials against cyclic loading. Nonetheless, these benefits are not only related to the recovery of lost properties during RPs, but also a growth in the amount of plastic deformations as a result of the applying RPs could delay the appearance of damages (i.e. cracking). Consequently, the bituminous material can tolerate a higher number of load cycles during fatigue test.