Absolute penalty and shrinkage estimation in partially linear models

In the context of a partially linear regression model, shrinkage semiparametric estimation is considered based on the Stein-rule. In this framework, the coefficient vector is partitioned into two sub-vectors: the first sub-vector gives the coefficients of interest, i.e., main effects (for example, treatment effects), and the second sub-vector is for variables that may or may not need to be controlled. When estimating the first sub-vector, the best estimate may be obtained using either the full model that includes both sub-vectors, or the reduced model which leaves out the second sub-vector. It is demonstrated that shrinkage estimators which combine two semiparametric estimators computed for the full model and the reduced model outperform the semiparametric estimator for the full model. Using the semiparametric estimate for the reduced model is best when the second sub-vector is the null vector, but this estimator suffers seriously from bias otherwise. The relative dominance picture of suggested estimators is investigated. In particular, suitability of estimating the nonparametric component based on the B-spline basis function is explored. Further, the performance of the proposed estimators is compared with an absolute penalty estimator through Monte Carlo simulation. Lasso and adaptive lasso were implemented for simultaneous model selection and parameter estimation. A real data example is given to compare the proposed estimators with lasso and adaptive lasso estimators.     

Low-sensitivity SC realization of brune and C-type reactance sections

The SC implementation of doubly terminated reactance reference filters containing Brune or C-type sections is presented. It is shown that the one-to-one correspondence between the elements of the reactance reference network and its simulated SC circuit is still maintained. Computer evaluations as well as experimental verifications have shown that the resulting structure is less sensitive with respect to parasitics. Illustrative examples are given.     

Taxonomic investigation of selected rust fungi using scanning electron microscopy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Rusts comprises the largest natural group of plant pathogens including approximately 8% of all described Fungi. Rust fungi are extremely plant pathogens responsible for great losses to agriculture productivity. Rust species belong to several genera among which more than half are Puccinia species. In Pakistan, rust causes severe damage to agriculture crops. Current study was carried out to identify and characterize different rust species common in the research area through microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Morpho-anatomical investigation of each collected rust species was carried out using different standard protocols. The dimensions of spores were measured and snapped under a stereomicroscope. SEM was used to examine the shape, size, and ornamentation of the spores of each rust fungus. Results revealed documentation of seven rust fungi, that is, Melampsora euphorbiae, Phragmidium barclayi, Puccinia nepalensis, P. exhausta, P. menthae, Uromyces capitatus, and Uromyces decorates belong to four different genera, were recorded. SEM revealed that spermogonia and Aecia were missing in most of the rust fungus studied. Uredinia was found in a scattered, irregular, lengthy, and epidermis-enclosed form. Urediniospores were found to be ovulating, elongated, echinulate, globose to sub-globose, ellipsoid to ovoid, and globose to sub-globose. Telia was found as sub-epidermal, amphigenous, dispersed, minute, and spherical cells. Teliospores ranged in form from cylindrical to oblong. The germ pores were detected in both apical (top cell) and basal (bottom cell) idiosyncratic and pedicel-attached cells. The techniques used in the current investigation will aid mycologists in rust identification and microscopic characterization.     

Authentic delay bounded event detection in heterogeneous wireless sensor networks

When using wireless sensor networks for real-time event alarming, it is critical to ensure event notification in a timely manner. Additionally, it is extremely important to ensure the alarms generated by the sensors propagate securely through the network to the sink. Another important factor to consider is energy, as it is a limited resource in wireless sensor networks. Accordingly, maximizing network lifetime is always an optimization goal. To address the aforementioned concerns, in this paper we present the Authentic Delay Bounded Event Detection System (ADBEDS). ADBEDS works in rounds, and in each round an event detection tree is responsible for simultaneously detecting events, routing packets to a gateway node, and detecting injection of false packets. The ADBEDS can support k-watching composite events to allow event detection in a redundant manner. Additionally, the corresponding event alarm can be delivered within a user-specified bounded delay. The use of energy-based keying allows smaller, more efficient keys as input to security mechanisms, allowing further reduction in energy consumption of the ADBEDS. We evaluate the energy efficiency and reliability of ADBEDS using theoretical analysis and simulation.     

New food safety challenges of viral contamination from a global perspective: Conventional,emerging, and novel methods of viral control

Food- and waterborne viruses, such as human norovirus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, rotaviruses, astroviruses, adenoviruses, and enteroviruses, are major contributors to all foodborne illnesses. Their small size, structure, and ability to clump and attach to inanimate surfaces make viruses challenging to reduce or eliminate, especially in the presence of inorganic or organic soils. Besides traditional wet and dry methods of disinfection using chemicals and heat, emerging physical nonthermal decontamination techniques (irradiation, ultraviolet, pulsed light, high hydrostatic pressure, cold atmospheric plasma, and pulsed electric field), novel virucidal surfaces, and bioactive compounds are examined for their potential to inactivate viruses on the surfaces of foods or food contact surfaces (tools, equipment, hands, etc.). Every disinfection technique is discussed based on its efficiency against viruses, specific advantages and disadvantages, and limitations. Structure, genomic organization, and molecular biology of different virus strains are reviewed, as they are key in determining these techniques effectiveness in controlling all or specific foodborne viruses. Selecting suitable viral decontamination techniques requires that their antiviral mechanism of action and ability to reduce virus infectivity must be taken into consideration. Furthermore, details about critical treatments parameters essential to control foodborne viruses in a food production environment are discussed, as they are also determinative in defining best disinfection and hygiene practices preventing viral infection after consuming a food product.     

Lip syncing method for realistic expressive 3D face model

Lip synchronization of 3D face model is now being used in a multitude of important fields. It brings a more human, social and dramatic reality to computer games, films and interactive multimedia, and is growing in use and importance. High level of realism can be used in demanding applications such as computer games and cinema. Authoring lip syncing with complex and subtle expressions is still difficult and fraught with problems in terms of realism. This research proposed a lip syncing method of realistic expressive 3D face model. Animated lips requires a 3D face model capable of representing the myriad shapes the human face experiences during speech and a method to produce the correct lip shape at the correct time. The paper presented a 3D face model designed to support lip syncing that align with input audio file. It deforms using Raised Cosine Deformation (RCD) function that is grafted onto the input facial geometry. The face model was based on MPEG-4 Facial Animation (FA) Standard. This paper proposed a method to animate the 3D face model over time to create animated lip syncing using a canonical set of visemes for all pairwise combinations of a reduced phoneme set called ProPhone. The proposed research integrated emotions by the consideration of Ekman model and Plutchik’s wheel with emotive eye movements by implementing Emotional Eye Movements Markup Language (EEMML) to produce realistic 3D face model.     

Biologically active polymers. IV. Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of tartaric acid polyamides

New bactericidal polyamides with quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salts were prepared, and their antimicrobial activities were explored. The polyamides were synthesized by the polycondensation of diethyl‐l‐tartrate or chloromethylated diethyl‐l‐tartrate with ethylenediamine in dry absolute ethanol. The polyamides were modified to yield polymers with either quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salts. The polymers were characterized with elemental microanalysis and ¹H‐NMR and IR spectra. The antimicrobial activity of the polymers bearing onium salts was studied against Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomones aeruginosa, Shigella sp., and Salmonella typhae), Gram‐positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus), and a fungus (Trichophytum rubrum) by the cut‐plug and viable‐cell‐count methods. Although all the polymers showed high antibacterial activity, some had no antifungal activity. The tributyl phosphonium salt of the polyamide was more effective against both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria than the triethyl ammonium and triphenyl phosphonium salts of the polyamide. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4780–4790, 2006     

Predicting correlations properties of crude oil systems using type-2 fuzzy logic systems

This paper presented a new prediction model of pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) properties of crude oil systems using type-2 fuzzy logic systems. PVT properties are very important in the reservoir engineering computations, and its accurate determination is important in the primary and subsequent development of an oil field. Earlier developed models are confronted with several limitations especially in uncertain situations coupled with their characteristics instability during predictions. In this work, a type-2 fuzzy logic based model is presented to improve PVT predictions. In the formulation used, the value of a membership function corresponding to a particular PVT properties value is no longer a crisp value; rather, it is associated with a range of values that can be characterized by a function that reflects the level of uncertainty. In this way, the model will be able to adequately model PVT properties. Comparative studies have been carried out and empirical results show that Type-2 FLS approach outperforms others in general and particularly in the area of stability, consistency and the ability to adequately handle uncertainties. Another unique advantage of the newly proposed model is its ability to generate, in addition to the normal target forecast, prediction intervals without extra computational cost.     

Inhibition of toxicogenic Bacillus licheniformis 553/1 in Nigerian Wara soft cheese by nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis LAC309

Wara soft cheese is a traditionally produced cheese in Nigeria. The production of this cheese includes a heating step for killing vegetative cells. Therefore, mainly spore-forming bacteria surviving the process may function as the first spoilers resulting in lowered shelf-life and safety of the product. In this study, we investigated if the addition of a nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis LAC309 starter after the high temperature treatment could result in nisin production and inhibition of the toxicogenic Bacillus licheniformis 553/1 strain spiked into the cheese. The results showed that L. lactis LAC309 could produce nisin in Wara cheese and that the strain inhibited (3 log reduction) B. licheniformis 553/1 in Wara cheese. Food technologists developing industrialised Wara cheese should therefore consider including a nisin-producing starter strain in the cheese-making process.