Automatic recognition fingerspelling gestures in multiple languages for a communication interface for the disabled

This paper presents the design and evaluation of a multi-lingual fingerspelling recognition module that is designed for an information terminal. Through the use of multimodal input and output methods, the information terminal acts as a communication medium between deaf and blind people. The system converts fingerspelled words to speech and vice versa using fingerspelling recognition, fingerspelling synthesis, speech recognition and speech synthesis in Czech, Russian, and Turkish languages. We describe an adaptive skin color based fingersign recognition system with a close to real-time performance and present recognition results on 88 different letters signed by five different signers, using above four hours of training and test videos.     

The role of plasticizer on the exfoliation and dispersion and fracture behavior of clay particles in PVC matrix: a comprehensive morphological study

The clay nanoparticles are readily dispersed and exfoliated in the PVC matrix with the help of Dioctyl phthalate (DOP) plasticizer. X-ray, TEM and AFM analysis of the nanocomposites indicate that there is an optimum concentration of DOP for the process. If used in high concentrations, the ability to transfer forces to the clay particles through the polymer matrix decreases due to substantial decrease in viscosity. The individual platy montmorillonite particles dispersed in PVC matrix were directly observed by AFM and found to lie preferentially on their basal surfaces, especially when the compounded batch is compression molded. The edges of the particles were in some cases straight forming hexagonal angles and in other cases irregular.     

Utilization of Whey and Grape Must for Citric Acid Production by Two Yarrowia lipolytica Strains

In this study, utilization of whey and grape must were investigated for citric acid production using Yarrowia lipolytica NBRC 1658 and a domestic strain Y. lipolytica 57. In addition to its use as a sole nutrient source, whey was also fortified with glucose or fructose as well as other nutrients. The best results for citric acid production were obtained in the medium containing whey supplemented with fructose. Maximum citric acid concentrations in this medium were 49.23 and 32.65 g/L for the domestic and NBRC 1658 strains, respectively. In grape must, maximum citric acid concentrations obtained using domestic and NBRC 1658 strains were 32.09 and 10.39 g/L, respectively. Both of the natural nutrient sources were found to be promising for utilization in citric acid production process. A domestic Turkish yeast strain was confirmed to be superior for citric acid production for the first time. This can be targeted for enhancing citric acid production efficiencies from locally available substrates such as whey or grape must.     

The effects of tannins on adhesion strength and surface roughness of varnished wood after accelerated weathering

This study evaluated the effect of accelerated weathering on the adhesion strength and surface roughness of beech wood (Fagus orientalis) treated with mimosa and quebracho extracts and coated with polyurethane, water-based, and cellulosic varnishes. Untreated beech wood blocks and beech wood blocks treated with Tanalith-E were used as control samples. Test samples were exposed to accelerated weathering processes of 100 and 300 h. According to the test results, the mean adhesion strength of the wood samples impregnated with mimosa and quebracho tannins decreased by a maximum of 20%, while increases in the mean surface roughness (R _a) were detected. The highest adhesion strength and lowest mean surface roughness were obtained with polyurethane varnish. Moreover, the mean adhesion strength increased with the accelerated weathering up to 100 h and then decreased thereafter. As a result of the weathering process, the mean surface roughness increased and was thus negatively affected.     

Ground behavior evaluation for tunnels in blocky rock masses

Ground characterization and ground behavior evaluation are introductory steps in tunnel design. For a realistic evaluation reflecting specific ground and site conditions, reasonable ground models and evaluation tools are essential. At design stage simulations with discrete element method enables to model the reaction of blocky rock masses during excavation. At construction stage the predicted model is updated according to the absolute displacement monitoring data. In this paper a parametric study is performed with distinct element program UDEC for different joint characteristics and in situ stresses to evaluate the ground behavior in blocky rock masses. The classification of the ground behaviors are carried out according to the established delimiting criteria. Characteristics of various ground behaviors and conditions leading to the specified behavior are defined.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of a Benzo[c]cinnoline electrografted platinum surface

In this work, a platinum surface was modified with benzo[c]cinnoline (BCC) to get new insight into the metal modification area. By potential scanning from + 0.4 V to - 0.8 V, the diazotized BCC was reduced electrochemically and grafted onto the platinum electrode surface to form benzo[c]cinnoline modified platinum electrode (Pt-BCC). Electrochemical reduction of benzo[c]cinnoline diazonium salt on the electrode surface yielded a relatively stable organic film. The introduction of BCC molecules onto the platinum surface was verified by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and ellipsometry. The stability and the potential range of the Pt-BCC electrode were also studied.     

Influence of the harvesting year and fertilizer on the fatty acid composition and some physicochemical properties of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Sar? 85 (Linum usitatissimum L.) linseed variety was used in this study. Linseed was cultivated at 2008 (LS-08) and 2009 (LS-09) without fertilizer. In addition, at 2009 diammonium phosphate [(NH₄)₂HPO₄] and ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) were applied (LSF-09). The linseeds were analyzed for protein, ash and oil contents and fatty acid compositions. There were differences among harvesting years for oil, protein and ash contents of the seeds. The greater oil and protein contents were obtained during LS-08 compared with LS-09. There were no significant difference in protein and ash content between LS-09 and LSF-09 while a significant difference was observed in oil content. Seed protein, oil and ash contents were significantly affected by the harvesting year, but only oil content was affected by the fertilizer treatment. There are significant differences in palmitic, stearic, oleic, ??-linolenic and arachidic acid between LS-08 and LS-09. While palmitic, stearic, oleic acid decreased, ??-linolenic and arachidic acid increased during 2009 harvesting year. LSF-09 has the highest amount of ??-linolenic acid. The fertilizing treatment seems to have an increasing effect on the amount of ??-linolenic acid, while it has a decreasing effect on the oleic acid content.     

Characterization of closed-loop measurement accuracy in precision CNC milling

This study investigates the closed-loop measurement error in computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling as they relate to the different inspection techniques. The on-line inspection of machining accuracy using a spindle probe has an inherent shortcoming because the same machine-produced parts are used for inspection. In order to use the spindle probe measurement as a means of correcting deviations in machining, the magnitude of measurement errors needs to be quantified. The empirical verification was made by conducting three sets of cutting experiments, followed by a design of experiment with three levels and three factors on a state-of-the-art CNC machining center. Three different material types and parameter settings were selected to simulate a diverse cutting condition. During the cutting, the cutting force and spindle vibration sensor signals were collected and a tool wear was recorded using a computer vision system. The bore tolerance was gauged by a spindle probe as well as a coordinate-measuring machine. The difference between the two measurements was defined as a closed-loop measurement error and the subsequent analysis was performed to determine the significant factors affecting the errors. The analysis results showed the potential of improving production efficiency and improved part quality.     

Using Tag-Match Comparators for Detecting Soft Errors

Soft errors caused by high energy particle strikes are becoming an increasingly important problem in microprocessor design. With increasing transistor density and die sizes, soft errors are expected to be a larger problem in the near future. Recovering from these unexpected faults may be possible by reexecuting some part of the program only if the error can be detected. Therefore it is important to come up with new techniques to detect soft errors and increase the number of errors that are detected. Modern microprocessors employ out-of-order execution and dynamic scheduling logic. Comparator circuits, which are used to keep track of data dependencies, are usually idle. In this paper, we propose various schemes to exploit on-chip comparators to detect transient faults. Our results show that around 50% of the errors on the wakeup logic can be detected with minimal hardware overhead by using the proposed techniques.