Subquadratic Algorithms for 3SUM

We obtain subquadratic algorithms for 3SUM on integers and rationals in several models. On a standard word RAM with w-bit words, we obtain a running time of . In the circuit RAM with one nonstandard AC ⁰ operation, we obtain . In external memory, we achieve O(n ²/(MB)), even under the standard assumption of data indivisibility. Cache-obliviously, we obtain a running time of . In all cases, our speedup is almost quadratic in the “parallelism” the model can afford, which may be the best possible. Our algorithms are Las Vegas randomized; time bounds hold in expectation, and in most cases, with high probability.     

Interpretation of MR images using self-organizing maps and knowledge-based expert systems

A new image segmentation system is presented to automatically segment and label brain magnetic resonance (MR) images to show normal and abnormal brain tissues using self-organizing maps (SOM) and knowledge-based expert systems. Elements of a feature vector are formed by image intensities, first-order features, texture features extracted from gray-level co-occurrence matrix and multiscale features. This feature vector is used as an input to the SOM. SOM is used to over segment images and a knowledge-based expert system is used to join and label the segments. Spatial distributions of segments extracted from the SOM are also considered as well as gray level properties. Segments are labeled as background, skull, white matter, gray matter, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and suspicious regions.     

Photosensitized free radical polymerization using pyridinium salts

Summary The polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl acrylate (EA), styrene (St) and 2-vinyl pyridine (VP) is initiated upon irradiation at >350 nm of dichloromethane solutions containing N-ethoxy-2-methylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate (EMP⁺PF₆ ^-) and anthracene or thioxanthone. Initiation mechanisms involving the formation of ethoxyl radicals during the decomposition of EMP⁺ ions via electron transfer are proposed.     

Evaluation of hydrogen bonding ability of liquids and solids by C-13 NMR. Silica gel as a strong hydrogen bond donor

The chemical shift difference between signals of C() and C() of unsaturated ketones, , which we used before to measure acid strengths, has now been used to evaluate the hydrogen bond donor ability of solvents which are not acidic enough to hydronate the indicator. For such solvents there is no general correlation between H-bond donor ability and acid strength: hexa-fluoroisopropanol is a much weaker acid than acetic acid, but it is a stronger H-bond donor. The method can be applied to evaluate the H-bonding properties of solid surfaces, and it was thus found that silica gel has a much stronger H-bond donor ability than methanol or acetic acid.     

Investigating the influence of tool shape during FSW of aluminum alloy via CFD analysis

This paper describes the application of the CFD code, Comsol Multiphysics, to modeling the 3-D metal flow in friction stir welding of AA 2024-T3 aluminum alloy in order to investigate the influence of tool shape over the metal flow. Heat transfer and non-Newtonian flow equations were solved simultaneously. The results from the benchmark experiments found in the literature were used for validation purposes. Scrolled shoulders and threaded pins were given as kinematic boundary conditions. This made the computational problem an easy one. A welding engineer can predict the metal flow around the tool with different scrolls and threads under any welding conditions without making expensive experiments. Investigation of the velocity field before actual welding can save a lot of engineering hours.     

Dynamic material properties of wood subjected to low-velocity impact

This article studied the effects of low-velocity impact on the failure stresses and stiffness using a pendulum test. The specimens were of variable depth (20, 30, and 40 mm), a width of 50 mm, length of 650 mm, and span-length of 480 mm. The smallest specimen depth was similar to specimen sizes tested in the literature used to create the duration of load curve, while the largest specimen depth are considered structural size specimens. The impact was predicted using a numerical approach with Euler–Bernoulli beam, as well as Timoshenko beam theory, with a plastic contact law. The models were validated for impact from a low release-angle (where the beam remained elastic), but could use improvement for the force prediction at a high incidence velocity. The measured force signals were used as forcing functions to obtain the dynamic failure stresses for all of the evaluated specimens, and the Timoshenko–Goens–Hearmon Method to derive the dynamic E. The resulting strain rates ranged from 9.11?×?10^?5 s^?1 for the quasi-static specimens up to 25 s^?1 for the greatest incidence velocity. The results from this study suggest different duration of load factors than the Madison Curve, influencing the design of structures subjected to dynamic loading.     

The axisymmetric crack problem in a non-homogeneous interfacial region between homogeneous half-spaces

In this paper, the axisymmetric crack problem in a non-homogeneous interfacial region between two homogeneous half-spaces is considered. It is assumed that the shear modulus varies continuously between that of the two half-spaces; and the shear modulus for the interface region is approximated by = ₀ e^mz. By using Hankel transform technique the problem is reduced to a pair of singular integral equations. The solutions of the problem are obtained for different material combinations and loading conditions; and modes I and II stress intensity factors, and the direction of a probable crack growth are calculated.     

Pseudo Bond Graph modelling and on-line estimation of unknown kinetics for a wastewater biodegradation process

This paper deals with the problem of modelling and on-line estimation of kinetics for a biomethanation process. This bioprocess is in fact a wastewater biodegradation process with production of methane gas, which takes place inside a Continuous Stirred Tank Bioreactor. The reaction scheme and the analysis of biochemical phenomena inside the bioreactor are used in order to obtain a nonlinear dynamic model of the bioprocess, by means of the pseudo Bond Graph method. Two nonlinear estimation strategies are developed for the identification of unknown kinetics of the bioprocess. First, an estimator is developed by using a state observer based technique. Second, an observer based on high-gain approach is designed and implemented. Several numerical simulations are performed in order to analyse and compare the behaviour and the performance of the proposed estimators.     

An automatic diabetes diagnosis system based on LDA-Wavelet Support Vector Machine Classifier

In this paper, an automatic diagnosis system for diabetes on Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Morlet Wavelet Support Vector Machine Classifier: LDA–MWSVM is introduced. The structure of this automatic system based on LDA-MWSVM for the diagnosis of diabetes is composed of three stages: The feature extraction and feature reduction stage by using the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) method and the classification stage by using Morlet Wavelet Support Vector Machine (MWSVM) classifier stage. The Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) is used to separate features variables between healthy and patient (diabetes) data in the first stage. The healthy and patient (diabetes) features obtained in the first stage are given to inputs of the MWSVM classifier in the second stage. Finally, in the third stage, the correct diagnosis performance of this automatic system based on LDA–MWSVM for the diagnosis of diabetes is calculated by using sensitivity and specificity analysis, classification accuracy, and confusion matrix, respectively. The classification accuracy of this system was obtained at about 89.74%.