Unsupervised Stream-Weights Computation in Classification and Recognition Tasks

International audienceIn this paper, we provide theoretical results on the problem of optimal stream weight selection for the multi-stream classi- fication problem. It is shown, that in the presence of estimation or modeling errors using stream weights can decrease the total classification error. Stream weight estimates are computed for various conditions. Then we turn our attention to the problem of unsupervised stream weights computation. Based on the theoretical results we propose to use models and “anti-models” (class- specific background models) to estimate stream weights. A non-linear function of the ratio of the inter- to intra-class distance is used for stream weight estimation. The proposed unsupervised stream weight estimation algorithm is evaluated on both artificial data and on the problem of audio-visual speech classification. Finally the proposed algorithm is extended to the problem of audio- visual speech recognition. It is shown that the proposed algorithms achieve results comparable to the supervised minimum-error training approach under most testing conditions

Minéralisation Pb-Zn du type MVT de la région d’Ali ou Daoud (Haut Atlas Central, Maroc): caractérisations du gîte et relations avec les cortèges de minéraux argileux

Zn-Pb-Fe ores in the Ali ou Daoud deposit (Central High Atlas) are found as stratiform levels and as karst fillings in carbonate platforms facies of Bajocian age. Tectonic structures (e.g., synsedimentary faults) played a relevant role in the ore emplacement. The dolomitic ore-related host-rock levels are characterized by the presence of kaolinite enrichment in clay levels in amounts directly related to the proportion of the clay minerals. The latter is evidenced by correlation between kaolinite and sulphide contents, suggesting that the installation of kaolinite and mineralisations would result from the same hydrothermal fluid.[Français] Dans les séries sédimentaires carbonatées d’Ali ou Daoud (Haut Atlas Central), les minéralisations à Zn, Pb et Fe en amas stratiformes forment les faciès de remplissage des karsts d’une plateforme carbonatée bajocienne. Le contrôle structural joue un rôle capital dans la localisation du gîte en bordure de plateforme sur des failles synsédimentaires. Dans les niveaux dolomitiques encaissants des minéralisations, les assemblages argileux sont caractérisés par la présence de kaolinite dont la teneur varie parallèlement avec celle du minerai. Ceci suggère que la mise en place de la kaolinite et des minéralisations résulterait du même fluide hydrothermal. [Español] En las series sedimentarias carbonatadas de Ali ou Daoud (Alto Atlas Central), las mineralizaciones de Zn, Pb y Fe aparecen en niveles estratiformes como facies de reemplazamiento de los karsts de una plataforma carbonatada Bajociense. El control estructural desempeña un papel crucial en la localización del yacimiento a lo largo de la plataforma sobre fallas sinsedimentarias. En los niveles dolomíticos que incluyen las mineralizaciones, las asociaciones arcillosas se caracterizan por la presencia de caolinita, cuyo contenido varía paralelamente al de la mineralización. Esto sugiere que la creación de caolinita y de la mineralización resultarían del mismo fluido hidrotermal. (traducido por el Editor)

Towards quantitative tissue absorption imaging by combining photoacoustics and acousto-optics

We propose a strategy for quantitative photoacoustic mapping of chromophore concentrations that can be performed purely experimentally. We exploit the possibility of acousto-optic modulation using focused ultrasound, and the principle that photons follow trajectories through a turbid medium in two directions with equal probability. A theory is presented that expresses the local absorption coefficient inside a medium in terms of noninvasively measured quantities and experimental parameters. Proof of the validity of the theory is given with Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Proton conductivity in Al-stevensite pillared clays

Fine stevensite mineral fraction (< 2 m) has been extracted from natural Moroccan ghassoulite clay. Thereafter, it has been pillared by Al13 polycations species. Physico-chemical characterization, performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG-TDA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with X-ray Energy Dispersion (XED) analysis, has proved that stevensite pillaring has been successfully achieved. Electrical impedance measurements, carried out onto samples before and after pillaring operation, have shown an increase in proton conductivity for pillared with respect to pristine stevensite clay mineral.Fine stevensite mineral fraction (< 2 m) has been extracted from natural Moroccan ghassoulite clay. Thereafter, it has been pillared by Al13 polycations species. Physico-chemical characterization, performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG-TDA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with X-ray Energy Dispersion (XED) analysis, has proved that stevensite pillaring has been successfully achieved. Electrical impedance measurements, carried out onto samples before and after pillaring operation, have shown an increase in proton conductivity for pillared with respect to pristine stevensite clay mineral

Self-similar chain conformations in polymer gels

We use molecular dynamics simulations to study the swelling of randomly end-cross-linked polymer networks in good solvent conditions. We find that the equilibrium degree of swelling saturates at Q_eq = N_e**(3/5) for mean strand lengths N_s exceeding the melt entanglement length N_e. The internal structure of the network strands in the swollen state is characterized by a new exponent nu=0.72. Our findings are in contradiction to de Gennes' c*-theorem, which predicts Q_eq proportional N_s**(4/5) and nu=0.588. We present a simple Flory argument for a self-similar structure of mutually interpenetrating network strands, which yields nu=7/10 and otherwise recovers the classical Flory-Rehner theory. In particular, Q_eq = N_e**(3/5), if N_e is used as effective strand length.Comment: 4 pages, RevTex, 3 Figure

Temporal Evolution of the Solar Wind Bulk Velocity atSolar Minimum by Correlating the STEREO A andBPLASTIC Measurements

The two STEREO spacecraft with nearly identical instrumentation were launched near solar activity minimum and they separate by about 45° per year, providing a unique tool to study the temporal evolution of the solar wind. We analyze the solar wind bulk velocity measured by the two PLASTIC plasma instruments onboard the two STEREO spacecraft. During the first half year of our measurements (March - August 2007) we find the typical alternating slow and fast solar wind stream pattern expected at solar minimum. To evaluate the temporal evolution of the solar wind bulk velocity we exclude the spatial variations and calculate the correlation between the solar wind bulk velocity measured by the two spacecraft. We account for the different spacecraft positions in radial distance and longitude by calculating the corresponding time lag. After adjusting for this time lag we compare the solar wind bulk velocity measurements at the two spacecraft and calculate the correlation between the two time-shifted datasets. We show how this correlation decreases as the time difference between two corresponding measurements increases. As a result, the characteristic temporal changes in the solar wind bulk velocity can be inferred. The obtained correlation is 0.95 for a time lag of 0.5 days and 0.85 for 2 day