Optimization of distributions differences for classification

In this paper we introduce a new classification algorithm called Optimization of Distributions Differences (ODD). The algorithm aims to find a transformation from the feature space to a new space where the instances in the same class are as close as possible to one another while the gravity centers of these classes are as far as possible from one another. This aim is formulated as a multiobjective optimization problem that is solved by a hybrid of an evolutionary strategy and the Quasi-Newton method. The choice of the transformation function is flexible and could be any continuous space function. We experiment with a linear and a non-linear transformation in this paper. We show that the algorithm can outperform 6 other state-of-the-art classification methods, namely naive Bayes, support vector machines, linear discriminant analysis, multi-layer perceptrons, decision trees, and k-nearest neighbors, in 12 standard classification datasets. Our results show that the method is less sensitive to the imbalanced number of instances comparing to these methods. We also show that ODD maintains its performance better than other classification methods in these datasets, hence, offers a better generalization ability

The functionalization of carbon nanotubes using a batch oscillatory flow reactor

This paper describes an efficient method for the functionalizing of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) using oscillatory flow mixing (OFM). A 3. l batch oscillatory flow reactor (OFR) was designed and constructed for pilot scale functionalization of MWCNT in order to potentially improve their compatibility within a thermoplastic polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) matrix. The OFM batch reactor consisted of a jacketed cylindrical vessel with a vertical axial oscillator that contained a series of baffled mixing plates. MWCNTs dispersed in dimethylformamide (DMF) were introduced into the reactor and a two stage reaction for functionalizing MWCNTs with PPS compatible groups was carried out under oscillation of baffles at elevated temperatures. Fluid mixing observations in the reactor showed that MWCNTs formed a uniform dispersion of aggregated flocs before and during the functionalization reaction. On completion of the reaction and cessation of the oscillation, the aggregated flocs of MWCNT rapidly sedimented at the bottom of the reactor; hence could be collected as a concentrated mass thereby facilitating the separation of functionalized MWCNTs from the solvent. The functionalized MWCNTs were dried and then characterized by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy as well as thermal gravimetric analysis in order to investigate the extent of MWCNT functionalization. The characterization results confirmed the effective and relatively uniform functionalization of the MWCNTs despite formation of aggregates, indicating that OFM provides a viable approach for functionalizing MWCNTs

An Investigation of Scenic Visualization Using Virtual Reality During Rehearsal

In this paper, we discuss the use of virtual reality as a tool for actors during the rehearsal process and assess methods to implement and continue this research in future works. During the rehearsal process, the scenic design is normally introduced to actors close to the end of rehearsals. In introducing a virtual reality environment to train actors, we hoped to help them develop a better understanding of the design at an earlier point in the process. Our investigative pilot study involves two productions in a university theatre, where we render the scenic design of the production for which our actors are rehearsing. After rendering was finished, a treatment group of actors was permitted to explore and practice their movements in the virtual environment using an HTC Vive. The actors were then assessed on their confidence level at different points in the rehearsal process; the findings of this data are presented alongside interview anecdotes from the actors. We end with a discussion of potential struggles and extraneous variables that should be monitored in future studies along with the average trends found in our pilot study

The effect of aerobic training and pomegranate supplementation on lipid peroxidation and some adhesion molecules in obese women

Background: Pomegranate supplement is one of the herbal supplements with healing properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic training and pomegranate supplementation on lipid peroxidation and some adhesion molecules in obese women. Methods: In this randomised double-blind clinical trial, forty women with BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 were randomly assigned into four groups of aerobic training, pomegranate, aerobic training + pomegranate, and placebo. Interventions were performed for 8 weeks. The exercise program included running on a treadmill with 65% of maximum heart rate for 16 minutes in the first week, which peaked at 30 minutes and 80% of the maximum heart rate in the eighth week. The groups received either a 200 mg supplement or a placebo daily for two months. Blood samples were collected from all subjects 24 hours before and 48 hours after the intervention to measure the variables. One-way ANOVA and paired t-test were used to compare the changes of variables in the four groups of study and at two blood sampling times (pre and post-test). Results: The results showed that MDA, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 significantly decreased in three intervention groups (training+pomegranates, pomegranates, and training) (P<0.05). This decrease in the pomegranate+training group was significantly higher than the other two (pomegranates, and training) groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that eight weeks of aerobic training along with pomegranate supplementation may have a better effect on reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in preventing obesity-related diseases in obese women. Keywords: Aerobic training, Pomegranate, Oxidative Stress, Adhesion Molecule

The Investigation of Compliment Response Patterns across Gender and Age among Advanced EFL Learners

Compliment responses (CRs) as manifestations of social-cultural standards and politeness varieties of a certain speech community are prevalent types of speech acts which are vulnerable to be misunderstood and therefore cause communication breakdown. Having this in mind, the recent study aimed at investigating compliment response strategies of Iranian advanced EFL learners across gender and age. The data were collected through application of a Discourse Completion Task (DCT), borrowed from Chen and Yang (2010), with four situational settings (appearance, clothing, ability, and possession) to 50 male and 50 female advanced EFL learners of an English institute in Iran. Based on qualitative data analysis, no difference was shown between the CR strategies employed by male and female participants in terms of frequency. Likewise, it was revealed that the frequency of CR strategies used by teenage and adult groups was very close. However, scrutinizing the emerging themes, besides similarities between the given groups, some subtle differences in the terminology of the employed strategies were detected

La nostalgia del presente in Proust, Helleu e Boldini

Descrivendo in Le Côté de Guermantes un quadro del pittore immaginario Elstir, che corrisponde esattamente al celebre Dejeuner des canotiers di Renoir, Proust spiega che la “poetica dell’istante” caratteristica dell’impressionismo implica un “sensus finis” e quindi una nostalgia per il presente felice ma minacciato di morte. Questa chiave di lettura viene applicata anche al pittore francese Helleu (che per altri aspetti è anch’egli un modello di Elstir) e a Boldini, la cui “mondanità” è accompagnata da una percezione dolente della realtà