Towards deep compositional networks

Hierarchical feature learning based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) has recently shown significant potential in various computer vision tasks. While allowing high-quality discriminative feature learning, the downside of CNNs is the lack of explicit structure in features, which often leads to overfitting, absence of reconstruction from partial observations and limited generative abilities. Explicit structure is inherent in hierarchical compositional models, however, these lack the ability to optimize a well-defined cost function. We propose a novel analytic model of a basic unit in a layered hierarchical model with both explicit compositional structure and a well-defined discriminative cost function. Our experiments on two datasets show that the proposed compositional model performs on a par with standard CNNs on discriminative tasks, while, due to explicit modeling of the structure in the feature units, affording a straight-forward visualization of parts and faster inference due to separability of the units. ActionsComment: Published in proceedings of 23th International Conference on Pattern Recognition (ICPR 2016

The “Melting” Spoon

People with Parkinson’s disease experience difficulties eating. Occasionally, they will suddenly stop eating and are unable to start again (freezing and akinesia), until they are gently reminded to start eating again, by using some sort of signal or stimulus. Freezing cannot be predicted, so a tool is needed to help combat freezing when eating.We have observed a patient at ARC San Joaquin who freezes up often and continually over the course of a meal and must be told every few seconds by a caretaker to continue to eat. Through our study of the patient, our proposed solution is an attachment for the handle of any standard fork or spoon that will detect a lack of motion and set off a stimulus, in this case a vibration. The vibration is to let the user know that they must start eating again. This removable attachment will contain an electric motor, accelerometer, on/off switch, micro controller and a battery. The microcontroller will monitor the output from the accelerometer and create the appropriate outputs to the electric motor.The current model shows to be very promising. Preliminary results show that the accelerometer is able to detect a lack of motion occurring for more than two seconds. Upon this detection, the microcontroller will run the vibrator in intervals of 5 seconds. The vibration will stop once motion is detected again. This model is not aesthetically ready for the public, but work is being done to get everything into a presentable product

The “Melting” Spoon

People with Parkinson’s disease experience difficulties eating. Occasionally, they will suddenly stop eating and are unable to start again (freezing and akinesia), until they are gently reminded to start eating again, by using some sort of signal or stimulus. Freezing cannot be predicted, so a tool is needed to help combat freezing when eating.We have observed a patient at ARC San Joaquin who freezes up often and continually over the course of a meal and must be told every few seconds by a caretaker to continue to eat. Through our study of the patient, our proposed solution is an attachment for the handle of any standard fork or spoon that will detect a lack of motion and set off a stimulus, in this case a vibration. The vibration is to let the user know that they must start eating again. This removable attachment will contain an electric motor, accelerometer, on/off switch, micro controller and a battery. The microcontroller will monitor the output from the accelerometer and create the appropriate outputs to the electric motor.The current model shows to be very promising. Preliminary results show that the accelerometer is able to detect a lack of motion occurring for more than two seconds. Upon this detection, the microcontroller will run the vibrator in intervals of 5 seconds. The vibration will stop once motion is detected again. This model is not aesthetically ready for the public, but work is being done to get everything into a presentable product

Physical-chemical evaluation of hydraulic fracturing chemicals in the context of produced water treatment.

Produced water is a significant waste stream that can be treated and reused; however, the removal of production chemicals-such as those added in hydraulic fracturing-must be addressed. One motivation for treating and reusing produced water is that current disposal methods-typically consisting of deep well injection and percolation in infiltration pits-are being limited. Furthermore, oil and gas production often occurs in arid regions where there is demand for new water sources. In this paper, hydraulic fracturing chemical additive data from California are used as a case study where physical-chemical and biodegradation data are summarized and used to screen for appropriate produced water treatment technologies. The data indicate that hydraulic fracturing chemicals are largely treatable; however, data are missing for 24 of the 193 chemical additives identified. More than one-third of organic chemicals have data indicating biodegradability, suggesting biological treatment would be effective. Adsorption-based methods and partitioning of chemicals into oil for subsequent separation is expected to be effective for approximately one-third of chemicals. Volatilization-based treatment methods (e.g. air stripping) will only be effective for approximately 10% of chemicals. Reverse osmosis is a good catch-all with over 70% of organic chemicals expected to be removed efficiently. Other technologies such as electrocoagulation and advanced oxidation are promising but lack demonstration. Chemicals of most concern due to prevalence, toxicity, and lack of data include propargyl alcohol, 2-mercaptoethyl alcohol, tetrakis hydroxymethyl-phosphonium sulfate, thioglycolic acid, 2-bromo-3-nitrilopropionamide, formaldehyde polymers, polymers of acrylic acid, quaternary ammonium compounds, and surfactants (e.g. ethoxylated alcohols). Future studies should examine the fate of hydraulic fracturing chemicals in produced water treatment trains to demonstrate removal and clarify interactions between upstream and downstream processes

Physical-chemical evaluation of hydraulic fracturing chemicals in the context of produced water treatment.

Produced water is a significant waste stream that can be treated and reused; however, the removal of production chemicals-such as those added in hydraulic fracturing-must be addressed. One motivation for treating and reusing produced water is that current disposal methods-typically consisting of deep well injection and percolation in infiltration pits-are being limited. Furthermore, oil and gas production often occurs in arid regions where there is demand for new water sources. In this paper, hydraulic fracturing chemical additive data from California are used as a case study where physical-chemical and biodegradation data are summarized and used to screen for appropriate produced water treatment technologies. The data indicate that hydraulic fracturing chemicals are largely treatable; however, data are missing for 24 of the 193 chemical additives identified. More than one-third of organic chemicals have data indicating biodegradability, suggesting biological treatment would be effective. Adsorption-based methods and partitioning of chemicals into oil for subsequent separation is expected to be effective for approximately one-third of chemicals. Volatilization-based treatment methods (e.g. air stripping) will only be effective for approximately 10% of chemicals. Reverse osmosis is a good catch-all with over 70% of organic chemicals expected to be removed efficiently. Other technologies such as electrocoagulation and advanced oxidation are promising but lack demonstration. Chemicals of most concern due to prevalence, toxicity, and lack of data include propargyl alcohol, 2-mercaptoethyl alcohol, tetrakis hydroxymethyl-phosphonium sulfate, thioglycolic acid, 2-bromo-3-nitrilopropionamide, formaldehyde polymers, polymers of acrylic acid, quaternary ammonium compounds, and surfactants (e.g. ethoxylated alcohols). Future studies should examine the fate of hydraulic fracturing chemicals in produced water treatment trains to demonstrate removal and clarify interactions between upstream and downstream processes

ENCOURAGING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE THROUGH BIOMASS ENERGY

Operation of biomass energy projects in agricultural settings can result in stabilization of wastes, reduction of odors, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and generation of renewable energy sources. In biomass energy, agricultural wastes are anaerobically treated in digesters where microorganisms metabolize wastes and produce biogas. The biogas contains high concentrations of methane that can be used to fuel engine-generators, resulting in the production of electricity and heat. Although there are many advantages of biomass energy, the technical issues require clarification prior to implementation of such projects on a large scale

ENCOURAGING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE THROUGH BIOMASS ENERGY

Operation of biomass energy projects in agricultural settings can result in stabilization of wastes, reduction of odors, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and generation of renewable energy sources. In biomass energy, agricultural wastes are anaerobically treated in digesters where microorganisms metabolize wastes and produce biogas. The biogas contains high concentrations of methane that can be used to fuel engine-generators, resulting in the production of electricity and heat. Although there are many advantages of biomass energy, the technical issues require clarification prior to implementation of such projects on a large scale

Fog water as an alternative and sustainable water resource

As the world’s population and demand for fresh water increases, new water resources are needed. One commonly overlooked aspect of the water cycle is fog, which is an important part of the hydrology of coastal, high-altitude, and forested regions. Fog water harvesting is being investigated as a sustainable alternative water resource for drinking water and reforestation. Fog water harvesting involves using mesh nets to collect water as fog passes through them. The materials of these nets, along with environmental factors such as wind speed, influence the volume of water collected. In this article, a review of current models for fog collection, designs, and applications of fog water harvesting is provided. Aspects of fog water harvesting requiring further research and development are identified. In regions with frequent fog events, fog water harvesting is a sustainable drinking water resource for rural communities with low per capita water usage. However, an analysis of fog water harvesting potential for the coastal areas of northern California (USA) showed that fog yields are too small for use as domestic water in areas with higher household water demands. Fog water shows particular promise for application in reforestation. Fog water irrigation can increase growth rates and survivability of saplings in reforestation efforts in regions with frequent fog events. Using fog collectors, denuded areas once dependent on natural fog drip can be restored, benefiting local hydrology and ecosystem recovery. Improvement in fog collector designs, materials, and models to increase collection efficiency, perhaps by inclusion of ideas from natural systems, will expand the regions where fog harvesting can be applied

Characterization of chemical additives used for hydraulic fracturing in California

Hydraulic fracturing is an oil and gas well stimulation technique in which fluids are pumped into wells under high pressure to fracture geological formations, thereby increasing formation permeability and oil/gas yields. Hydraulic fracturing fluids are complex mixtures typically composed of water, proppant (e.g. fine sand), and chemical additives. Hydraulic fracturing is being practiced pervasively throughout the United States. The application of hydraulic fracturing in California is unique: treatments are typically applied for oil production using gelled fluids