K Nearest Neighbor Equality: Giving equal chance to all existing classes

The nearest neighbor classification method assigns an unclassified point to the class of the nearest case of a set of previously classified points. This rule is independent of the underlying joint distribution of the sample points and their classifications. An extension to this approach is the k-NN method, in which the classification of the unclassified point is made by following a voting criteria within the k nearest points.The method we present here extends the k-NN idea, searching in each class for the k nearest points to the unclassified point, and classifying it in the class which minimizes the mean distance between the unclassified point and the k nearest points within each class. As all classes can take part in the final selection process, we have called the new approach k Nearest Neighbor Equality (k-NNE).Experimental results we obtained empirically show the suitability of the k-NNE algorithm, and its effectiveness suggests that it could be added to the current list of distance based classifiers.     

Functional data analysis in shape analysis

Mid-level processes on images often return outputs in functional form. In this context the use of functional data analysis (FDA) in image analysis is considered. In particular, attention is focussed on shape analysis, where the use of FDA in the functional approach (contour functions) shows its superiority over other approaches, such as the landmark based approach or the set theory approach, on two different problems (principal component analysis and discriminant analysis) in a well-known database of bone outlines. Furthermore, a problem that has hardly ever been considered in the literature is dealt with: multivariate functional discrimination. A discriminant function based on independent component analysis for indicating where the differences between groups are and what their level of discrimination is, is proposed. The classification results obtained with the methodology are very promising. Finally, an analysis of hippocampal differences in Alzheimer’s disease is carried out.     

Evolution of functional link networks

This paper addresses the genetic design of functional link networks (FLN). FLN are high-order perceptrons (HOP) without hidden units. Despite their linear nature, FLN can capture nonlinear input-output relationships, provided that they are fed with an adequate set of polynomial inputs, which are constructed out of the original input attributes. Given this set, it turns out to be very simple to train the network, as compared with a multilayer perceptron (MLP). However finding the optimal subset of units is a difficult problem because of its nongradient nature and the large number of available units, especially for high degrees. Some constructive growing methods have been proposed to address this issue, Here, we rely on the global search capabilities of a genetic algorithm to scan the space of subsets of polynomial units, which is plagued by a host of local minima. By contrast, the quadratic error function of each individual FLN has only one minimum, which makes fitness evaluation practically noiseless. We find that surprisingly simple FLN compare favorably with other more complex architectures derived by means of constructive and evolutionary algorithms on some UCI benchmark data sets. Moreover, our models are especially amenable to interpretation, due to an incremental approach that penalizes complex architectures and starts with a pool of single-attribute FLN     

Competitive Effects of Trichloroethylene on Cr(VI) Removal by Zero-Valent Iron

Eleven columns were set up under various groundwater geochemistry conditions to investigate the competitive effect of trichloroethylene (TCE) on hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] removal by zero-valent iron (Fe0). They were found to be electron competitors in the redox reactions. In the presence of TCE, the Cr(VI) removal capacities of Fe0 were decreased by about 40% when compared with their respective Cr(VI) removal capacities with identical groundwater geochemistry but without TCE. The specific reaction rate constant (kSA) of TCE was decreased by about 50% when Cr(VI) was singly applied. The kSA of TCE was further decreased by 75% in the presence of both Cr(VI) and carbonate. However, there was no apparent effect on the kSA of TCE when Cr(VI), hardness and carbonate were all present. It revealed that TCE was a stronger electron competitor of Cr(VI) and the degradation of TCE became more favorable when both hardness and carbonate were present. This suggests that the passivated precipitates formed on the Fe0 surface in the presence of both hardness and carbonate may significantly affect the Cr(VI) removal by Fe0 but has insignificant effect on the TCE removal.     

Agent-Mediated Electronic Commerce

Electronic commerce has been one of the traditional arenas for agent technology. The complexity of these applications has been a challenge for researchers that have developed methodologies, products, and systems, having in mind the specificities of trade, the interaction particularities of commerce, the strict notion of commitment and contract, and the clearly shaped conventions and norms that structure the field. In this paper I survey some key areas for agent technology which, although general, are of special importance in electronic commerce, namely, solid development methodologies, negotiation technologies and trust-building mechanisms. I give examples of systems in which I have directly participated, although I also try to refer to the work of other AgentLink Special Interest Group members over the last few years.     

Analytical modeling of material flow in equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE)

We provide analytical forms for the plastic deformation and velocity gradients associated with a single pass of equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE). Three cases of plastic deformation are considered: ideal simple shear, a plastic deformation zone (PDZ) in the shape of a central fan of angle β_m, and a two-part PDZ consisting of a central fan in the ‘upper’ region and a low intensity shear deformation in the ‘lower’ region. The analysis for simple shear considers a general die angle Φ, whereas the other two cases only consider Φ=90°. The tensors for deformation and velocity gradients completely describe the deformation, such as the directions and magnitudes of material stretching and rotations. From this analysis, one can calculate deformation and texture evolution. Texture evolution during flow through the central fan zone involves continuous rotation of the texture components causing the texture developed at the end of the extrusion to be rotated relative to the ideal simple shear case. The analysis of the two-part zone suggests inhomogeneity in texture evolution, in which features of the initial texture are retained and rotated in the lower region, while they are nearly erased in the upper region. These analytical flow patterns for a single pass can be repeatedly applied for any number of passes of any ECAE route.     

Structural design of carbon/epoxy bio‐inspired wind turbine blade using fluid/structure simulation

The purpose of this paper is to present the structural design procedure of a low‐speed, horizontal axis, bio‐inspired wind turbine blade made of carbon/epoxy. The methodology initiates with the mechanical characterization of the carbon fiber composite material. An aerodynamic simulation using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method is performed in order to obtain the pressure distribution profile of the blade. This result is coupled with a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to carry out an iterative design process through a Fluid‐Structure Interaction (FSI) simulation. Different stacking sequences of laminates are evaluated to find a configuration which allows balance between aerodynamic and dynamic inertial loads, ensuring an almost undeformed geometry during wind turbine's operation. The final structural design of the blade consists in six regions with different laminates. These are balanced and symmetric with distinct thickness characteristics and stacking sequences, which vary in three different orientations: 0^°, ± 45^° and 90^°, achieving a minimum deflection at the tip close to 3.11 cm, and a total weight of 3.6 kg of a 1.8 m radius blade, even with the restrictions imposed by the non‐conventional geometry. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biomass: Major Organic Components of the Aqueous Phase

Process waters obtained from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of wheat straw, a biogas digestate derived thereof, and four woody biomass feedstocks were quantified regarding the total organic carbon (TOC) and selected organic compounds. HTC runs revealed that TOC loads were largely unaffected by process severity or type of feedstock whereas the C₂–C₆ fatty acids, determined by GC, displayed clear effects of temperature and feedstock. HPLC demonstrated simultaneously the initial increase and subsequent consumption of cellulose‐derived furfural and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural as well as the increase of the lignin‐derived 2‐methoxyphenol. 2‐Methylbenzofuran, an example for a substance potentially harmful to aquatic biota, was observed in high concentration in the HTC liquor from wheat straw‐based feedstocks.