A Four-Factor User Interaction Model for Content-Based Image Retrieval

In order to bridge the “Semantic gap”, a number of relevance feedback (RF) mechanisms have been applied to content-based image retrieval (CBIR). However current RF techniques in most existing CBIR systems still lack satisfactory user interaction although some work has been done to improve the interaction as well as the search accuracy. In this paper, we propose a four-factor user interaction model and investigate its effects on CBIR by an empirical evaluation. Whilst the model was developed for our research purposes, we believe the model could be adapted to any content-based search system

Novel Approach to the Energy Analysis of Mine Cooling Strategies

The extraction of minerals and coal at increasing depth, employing higher-powered, mechanized machinery to increase production levels imposes an increased burden on the ability to maintain an acceptable mine climate. Any deterioration in the mine climate within working zones may adversely affect the health and safety of the workforce. The combination of the optimal design of the mine system layout, together with the selective application of suitable ventilation and cooling systems, may be used to control the climate within working zones. The adoption of mechanical cooling within mines is an expensive process in terms of both capital and operating costs. Therefore, as mechanized mining takes place at increased depth, the need to maintain or improve the mine climate becomes more expensive. Consequently, to decrease overhead costs, reduce energy consumption and meet current and future environmental obligations, it is essential to provide the mine operator with a method with which to determine the most cost effective and efficient mine cooling system. To perform this analysis it is necessary to have a good understanding of the energy balances governing both the operation and utilization of a cooling system. This paper introduces the application of a novel approach to energy analysis of mine cooling systems, with a combination of the concepts of exergy and composite curves. These methods are used extensively throughout chemical and process industries to increase energy efficiency and reduce capital and operating costs. An outline of the methods employed in the application of these techniques to the energy analysis of a mining cooling system is presented

Application of relativistic scattering theory of x rays to diffraction anomalous fine structure in Cu

We apply our recent first-principles formalism of magnetic scattering of circularly polarized x rays to a single Cu crystal. We demonstrate the ability of our formalism to interpret the crystalline environment related near-edge fine structure features in the resonant x-ray scattering spectra at the Cu K absorption edge. We find good agreement between the computed and measured diffraction anomalous fine structure features of the x-ray scattering spectra

The influence of Harmonia axyridis morbidity on 2-Isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine in 'Cabernet Sauvignon' wine

Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae; the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle; MALB) is a vineyard pest in many winemaking regions of the world due to its ability to taint juice and wine (‘ladybug taint’) through excretion or extraction of 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (IPMP) when the beetles are incorporated with the grapes at harvest. A common vineyard intervention is the use of insecticidal sprays and the resulting dead beetles are often incorporated in with the harvested fruit. The main objective of this study was to quantify the impact of dead MALB on IPMP concentrations in red wine. Duplicate 'Cabernet Sauvignon' wines were produced with the addition of 10 beetles·l-1 juice, added either live or at 1, 3, 7, or 60-days postmortem. A control wine with no added beetles was included. IPMP concentration was substantially higher in live-beetle wines, and decreased to base-line levels at approximately 6.5 days post-mortem. These results should assist in decisions on viticultural interventions, such as timing of insecticidal sprays, as well as the establishment of grape quality parameters.

Mode identification in the high-amplitude {\delta} Scuti star V2367 Cyg

We report on a multi-site photometric campaign on the high-amplitude $\delta$ Scuti star V2367 Cyg in order to determine the pulsation modes. We also used high-dispersion spectroscopy to estimate the stellar parameters and projected rotational velocity. Time series multicolour photometry was obtained during a 98-d interval from five different sites. These data were used together with model atmospheres and non-adiabatic pulsation models to identify the spherical harmonic degree of the three independent frequencies of highest amplitude as well as the first two harmonics of the dominant mode. This was accomplished by matching the observed relative light amplitudes and phases in different wavebands with those computed by the models. In general, our results support the assumed mode identifications in a previous analysis of Kepler data.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Limit Cycles in Four Dimensions

We present an example of a limit cycle, i.e., a recurrent flow-line of the beta-function vector field, in a unitary four-dimensional gauge theory. We thus prove that beta functions of four-dimensional gauge theories do not produce gradient flows. The limit cycle is established in perturbation theory with a three-loop calculation which we describe in detail.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure. Significant revision of the interpretation of our result. Improved description of three-loop calculatio

Long-range chemical sensitivity in the sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectra of substituted thiophenes

© 2014 American Chemical Society. Thiophenes are the simplest aromatic sulfur-containing compounds and are stable and widespread in fossil fuels. Regulation of sulfur levels in fuels and emissions has become and continues to be ever more stringent as part of governments' efforts to address negative environmental impacts of sulfur dioxide. In turn, more effective removal methods are continually being sought. In a chemical sense, thiophenes are somewhat obdurate and hence their removal from fossil fuels poses problems for the industrial chemist. Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy provides key information on thiophenic components in fuels. Here we present a systematic study of the spectroscopic sensitivity to chemical modifications of the thiophene system. We conclude that while the utility of sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectra in understanding the chemical composition of sulfur-containing fossil fuels has already been demonstrated, care must be exercised in interpreting these spectra because the assumption of an invariant spectrum for thiophenic forms may not always be valid

Chemical biology in the embryo: In situ imaging of sulfur biochemistry in normal and proteoglycan-deficient cartilage matrix

© 2016 American Chemical Society. Proteoglycans (PGs) are heavily glycosylated proteins that play major structural and biological roles in many tissues. Proteoglycans are abundant in cartilage extracellular matrix; their loss is a main feature of the joint disease osteoarthritis. Proteoglycan function is regulated by sulfation-sulfate ester formation with specific sugar residues. Visualization of sulfation within cartilage matrix would yield vital insights into its biological roles. We present synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging of developing zebrafish cartilage, providing the first in situ maps of sulfate ester distribution. Levels of both sulfur and sulfate esters decrease as cartilage develops through late phase differentiation (maturation or hypertrophy), suggesting a functional link between cartilage matrix sulfur content and chondrocyte differentiation. Genetic experiments confirm that sulfate ester levels were due to cartilage proteoglycans and support the hypothesis that sulfate ester levels regulate chondrocyte differentiation. Surprisingly, in the PG synthesis mutant, the total level of sulfur was not significantly reduced, suggesting sulfur is distributed in an alternative chemical form during lowered cartilage proteoglycan production. Fourier transform infrared imaging indicated increased levels of protein in the mutant fish, suggesting that this alternative sulfur form might be ascribed to an increased level of protein synthesis in the mutant fish, as part of a compensatory mechanism

Radial HI Profiles at the Periphery of Galactic Disks: The Role of Ionizing Background Radiation

Observations of neutral hydrogen in spiral galaxies reveal a sharp cutoff in the radial density profile at some distance from the center. Using 22 galaxies with known HI distributions as an example, we discuss the question of whether this effect can be associated exclusively with external ionizing radiation, as is commonly assumed. We show that before the surface density reaches $\sigma_{\textrm{HI}}\le 0.5 {\cal M}_\odot/{\textrm {pc}}^2$(the same for galaxies of different types), it is hard to expect the gas to be fully ionized by background radiation. For two of 13 galaxies with a sharp drop in the HI profile, the "steepening" can actually be caused by ionization. At the same time, for the remaining galaxies, the observed cutoff in the radial HI profile is closer to the center than if it was a consequence of ionization by background radiation and, therefore, it should be caused by other factors.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure