Fusion of hyperspectral data using segmented PCT for color representation and classification

Fusion of hyperspectral data is proposed by means of partitioning the hyperspectral bands into subgroups, prior to principal components transformation (PCT). The first principal component of each subgroup is employed for image visualization. The proposed approach is general, with the number of bands in each subgroup being application dependent. Nevertheless, the paper focuses on partitions with three subgroups suitable for RGB representation. One of them employs matched-filtering based on the spectral characteristics of various materials and is very promising for classification purposes. The information content of the hyperspectral bands as well as the quality of the obtained RGB images are quantitatively assessed using measures such as the correlation coefficient, the entropy, and the maximum energy-minimum correlation index. The classification performance of the proposed partitioning approaches is tested using the K-means algorithm.     

Transient flow of gravity-driven viscous films over substrates with rectangular topographical features

We study the transient, two-dimensional film flow over solid substrates with variable topography, a flow that has practical applications in microelectronics and microfluidics. The problem we address here is the advancing of a thin liquid film over square-shaped trenches with different depths and widths, under the influence of the gravitational force. We use the volume-of-fluid method to obtain completely different wetting patterns depending on the dimensions of the topography, the capillary and Reynolds numbers, and the contact angle. On one hand, we predict continuous coating, i.e., the formation of the Wenzel state, in which a thin liquid film covers the entire trench, while steady flow is established upstream and downstream this topographical feature. This is the desirable pattern, when perfect coating is sought, as in the manufacturing of microelectronic devices. Under different conditions, we predict that the film almost completely bypasses the trench, entrapping air inside it, i.e., forming the Cassie state. The coating quality is clearly poor in this case, but this pattern reduces the drag on the film, and therefore, it is desirable in the operation of super-hydrophobic surfaces for microfluidic applications. Between these two extreme configurations, we uncover a large variety of patterns, in which the film partially wets the trench forming an air inclusion all along its bottom or its upstream or downstream inner corners or the film may break up periodically. We produce comprehensive flow maps covering a wide range of relevant parameter values.     

Concrete shrinkage effect on the behavior of RC columns under monotonic and cyclic loading

The effect of concrete shrinkage on the behavior of reinforced concrete columns subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading is investigated in this study using the finite element method. Concrete shrinkage is simulated by imposing a volumetric strain on the concrete element. The effect of concrete shrinkage is found to be of major importance for the accurate prediction of the behavior of reinforced concrete columns. Simulating of concrete shrinkage results in a reduction of the stiffness and strength of the columns. This reduction is found to be more important for large values of axial load and rectangular columns.     

Media-independent handover for seamless service provision in heterogeneous networks

The performance of current Internet applications is based mainly on the capabilities of the underlying network technologies. Modern access systems usually can satisfy delay, loss, or bandwidth requirements; however, design inconsistencies can lead to service degradation as the terminals move across different systems. In this article, the focal point is the satisfaction of service requirements during mobility and more specifically, how the emerging IEEE 802.21 standard enables seamless, inter-technology handover. Based on prior work and a well-known example of seamless mobility, the main seamless mobility principles are identified and used as the basis for further evaluating the potential of the IEEE 802.21 standard to meet the requirements of applications for minimum disruption during an inter-technology handover.     

On the road to psychotherapy integration: A student's journey.

This article presents the integrative journey of a doctoral student across two continents. The development and aspirations of a student integrationist from the "get go" are outlined, and some thoughts on the future of the integration movement are offered. The role of self-direction, integrative role models, flexible training environments, and the support of the integrative community in one's integrative development are highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The next generation of SEPI: Integrationists from the "get go."

A generation of integrative therapists developed inside the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI) and the psychotherapy integration movement emerged the last couple of decades. These integrationists from the "get go" represent a new model of integrative development, which comes to complement the traditional route of "single theorist gradually turns integrationist." This series of articles presents the developmental journeys, future plans, and views about psychotherapy integration of four such integrative scientist-practitioners, in an effort to inspire the next generation of SEPI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

MUSIPER: a system for modeling music similarity perception based on objective feature subset selection

We explore the use of objective audio signal features to model the individualized (subjective) perception of similarity between music files. We present MUSIPER, a content-based music retrieval system which constructs music similarity perception models of its users by associating different music similarity measures to different users. Specifically, a user-supplied relevance feedback procedure and related neural network-based incremental learning allows the system to determine which subset of a set of objective features approximates more accurately the subjective music similarity perception of a specific user. Our implementation and evaluation of MUSIPER verifies the relation between subsets of objective features and individualized music similarity perception and exhibits significant improvement in individualized perceived similarity in subsequent music retrievals.     

Evolving psychotherapy integration: Eclectic selection and prescriptive applications of common factors in therapy.

Since its inception 65 years ago, the psychotherapy integration movement has undergone much development along its major thrusts: technical eclecticism, common factors, and theoretical integration. Based on findings from decades of exploration of psychotherapy integration, this article attempts to advance the movement one step further by (a) reviewing the pros and cons of eclecticism and common factors, and (b) integrating the two approaches into a new conceptual scheme. The new integrative scheme aspires to improve treatment selection and application, as well as facilitate integrative training and research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating psychopathology, positive psychology, and psychotherapy.

Comments on M. E. P. Seligman and M. Csikszentmihalyi's (see record 2000-13324-001) introduction to the special issue on positive psychology (American Psychologist, 2000[Jan], Vol 55[1]). The commenting author suggests that to achieve a major scientific shift to positive psychology (which could complement the dominant disease-oriented focus in mental health), psychologists should reconcile and merge the two foci; this could be best done by gradually infusing positive psychology into current models of psychopathology and treatment. To ease the integration and transition from a psychopathology-focused to a strength-focused approach in therapeutic psychology, programmatic research might be necessary; three possible areas of attention are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Cascade-Hybrid Music Recommender System for mobile services based on musical genre classification and personality diagnosis

In this paper, we present a Cascade-Hybrid Music Recommender System intended to operate as a mobile service. Specifically, our system is a middleware that realizes the recommendation process based on a combination of music genre classification and personality diagnosis. A mobile user is able to query for music files by simply sending an example music file from his/her mobile device. In response to the user query, the system recommends music files that not only belong to the same genre as the user query, but also an attempt has been made to take into account both the user preferences as well as ratings from other users for candidate results. The recommendation mechanism is realized by applying the collaborative filtering technique of personality diagnosis. Using the minimum absolute error and the ranked scoring criteria, our approach is compared to existing recommendation techniques that rely on either collaborative filtering or content-based approaches. The outcome of the comparison clearly indicates that our approach exhibits significantly higher performance.