Why my photos look sideways or upside down? Detecting Canonical Orientation of Images using Convolutional Neural Networks

Image orientation detection requires high-level scene understanding. Humans use object recognition and contextual scene information to correctly orient images. In literature, the problem of image orientation detection is mostly confronted by using low-level vision features, while some approaches incorporate few easily detectable semantic cues to gain minor improvements. The vast amount of semantic content in images makes orientation detection challenging, and therefore there is a large semantic gap between existing methods and human behavior. Also, existing methods in literature report highly discrepant detection rates, which is mainly due to large differences in datasets and limited variety of test images used for evaluation. In this work, for the first time, we leverage the power of deep learning and adapt pre-trained convolutional neural networks using largest training dataset to-date for the image orientation detection task. An extensive evaluation of our model on different public datasets shows that it remarkably generalizes to correctly orient a large set of unconstrained images; it also significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art and achieves accuracy very close to that of humans

Performance Evaluation of Multimodal Transportation Systems

AbstractConnectivity of more than one mode to a line haul in an urban area constitutes the multimodal transport system of the city. In this paper New Delhi has been taken up as a case study to evaluate performance of multimodal transportation system (MMTS), where metro became main mode in routine public transport trips. Public transport in Delhi carries only about 60% of total vehicular person trips as against 80% of the expected population size of the city. The present bus services, metro rail and IRBT (Integrated Rail-cum-Bus Transit), if implemented as planned together are estimated to carry about 15 million trips per day by 2021. Since, all the public transport trips are multimodal, it is necessary to evaluate the performance of multimodal transportation systems. The study is divided into two phases. In the first phase, the study of travel time elements (access time, transfer time, waiting time, line-haul time, and egress time) is done. Next, the influence of access and egress times on the total travel time is examined. Use is made of a comprehensive commuter travel diary to collect detail travel time estimates. A representative commuter survey, with 460 respondents, is drawn on platform at each station of Red Line and Yellow Line (Kashmiri Gate – Saket) Delhi Metro. Implementing the Second phase of study, performance measures such as Travel Time Ratio, Level of Service, Interconnectivity Ratio, Passenger Waiting Index, and Running Index were evaluated. Interconnectivity ratio (proportion of access and egress time w.r.t total travel time) for various combinations such as Mixed-Metro-Mixed, Walk-Metro-Walk, Walk-Metro-Bus and Walk- Bus-Walk has been observed. Travel Time (defined as the time differential between private transport and public transport) ratio shows much variation with trip direction, time of day, mode used, and distance travelled, etc.,. Level of Service Indicator (Out- of-vehicle Travel Time/In-Vehicle Travel Time) ratio inferred that people spends more time out-of-vehicle as compared to that of in-vehicle. Access time, transfer time, waiting time and egress time are the most important and complex travel time elements that transport systems should consider improving its efficiency and modal share. The results can be used in planning catchment area of public transport. Access and egress (together with waiting and transfer times) appear as factors that affect effectiveness and performance of a multimodal transportation system to a larger extent as unacceptable distances are likely to reduce ridership patronage. At the same time, there are key deciding factors when a trip originates as to whether the commuter shall choose public transit over personal mode of travel

Adapting End Host Congestion Control for Mobility

Network layer mobility allows transport protocols to maintain connection state, despite changes in a node's physical location and point of network connectivity. However, some congestion-controlled transport protocols are not designed to deal with these rapid and potentially significant path changes. In this paper we demonstrate several distinct problems that mobility-induced path changes can create for TCP performance. Our premise is that mobility events indicate path changes that require re-initialization of congestion control state at both connection end points. We present the application of this idea to TCP in the form of a simple solution (the Lightweight Mobility Detection and Response algorithm, that has been proposed in the IETF), and examine its effectiveness. In general, we find that the deficiencies presented are both relatively easily and painlessly fixed using this solution. We also find that this solution has the counter-intuitive property of being both more friendly to competing traffic, and simultaneously more aggressive in utilizing newly available capacity than unmodified TCP

Liquefaction Studies of the Solani Sand Reinforced with Geogrid

In this paper, a study on liquefaction resistance of Solani sand reinforced with geogrid sheets is reported. Tests were carried out on shake table (vibration Table) with sand samples prepared at relative density of 25% without and with geogrid sheets. In this investigation biaxial synthetic geogrid sheets having the dimension equal to plan dimension of the shake table tank were used in three different combinations of 3 layers, 4 layers and 5 layers at different depths within the sand sample. The liquefaction parameters such as maximum pore water pressure (Umax), maximum pore water pressure built up time (t1) and pore water pressure dissipation time (t3) were measured with the help of transparent piezometer tubes and stop watch for each combination of geogrid sheet corresponding to various levels of accelerations varying from 0.1g to 0.4g. In each test, the frequency of dynamic load was kept constant (5Hz). The liquefaction resistance of sand was evaluated in- terms of pore pressure ratio. Tests results indicate that on inclusion of geogrid sheets into the sand samples, the Umax decreases and t1 and t3 increases. It was also observed that on increasing the number of geogrid sheets, Umax decreases further and this decrease is significant at small amplitude of excitation. The average increase in liquefaction resistance of sand was found to be about 31 % in case of 5 layers of Geogrid sheets at 0.1g acceleration

Men’s oppressive beliefs predict their breast size preferences in women

Previous studies of men’s breast size preferences have yielded equivocal findings, with studies variously indicating a preference for small, medium, or large breasts. Here, we examined the impact of men’s oppressive beliefs in shaping their female breast size ideals. British White men from the community in London, England (N = 361) viewed figures of women that rotated in 360° and varied in breast size along five levels. They then rated the figure that they found most physically attractive and also completed measures assessing their sexist attitudes and tendency to objectify women. Results showed that medium breasts were rated most frequent as attractive (32.7 %), followed by large (24.4 %) and very large (19.1 %) breasts. Further analyses showed that men’s preferences for larger female breasts were significantly associated with a greater tendency to be benevolently sexist, to objectify women, and to be hostile towards women. These results were discussed in relation to feminist theories, which postulate that beauty ideals and practices in contemporary societies serve to maintain the domination of one sex over the other

Single-cell microfluidic impedance cytometry: From raw signals to cell phenotypes using data analytics

The biophysical analysis of single-cells by microfluidic impedance cytometry is emerging as a label-free and high-throughput means to stratify the heterogeneity of cellular systems based on their electrophysiology. Emerging applications range from fundamental life-science and drug assessment research to point-of-care diagnostics and precision medicine. Recently, novel chip designs and data analytic strategies are laying the foundation for multiparametric cell characterization and subpopulation distinction, which are essential to understand biological function, follow disease progression and monitor cell behaviour in microsystems. In this tutorial review, we present a comparative survey of the approaches to elucidate cellular and subcellular features from impedance cytometry data, covering the related subjects of device design, data analytics (i.e., signal processing, dielectric modelling, population clustering), and phenotyping applications. We give special emphasis to the exciting recent developments of the technique (timeframe 2017-2020) and provide our perspective on future challenges and directions. Its synergistic application with microfluidic separation, sensor science and machine learning can form an essential tool-kit for label-free quantification and isolation of subpopulations to stratify heterogeneous biosystems

'Cashew Apple' Juice Blend with Mango, Pineapple and Sapota for Improving Quality of RTS Beverages and Economic Feasibility Thereof

The present study on value-addition in cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) juice by blending it with mango, pineapple and sapota juices for preparation of RTS beverage was conducted during the year 2012-2013 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh, in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replications and 10 treatments. In the present investigation, 'cashew apple' juice extracted from the fruit was blended with fruit juices of mango, pineapple and sapota in various proportions. RTS beverages prepared from different blends of cashew apple juice were evaluated for physico-chemical and organoleptic properties at 0, 30 and 60 days of storage, and significant differences were observed. RTS beverage prepared from a blend of 25% cashew apple juice + 75% mango juice (T3) recorded a gradual decrease in pH, titrable acidity and ascorbic acid content from 0 to 60 days after storage, whereas, density of the blended juice increased gradually at 0 to 30 days of storage; thereafter it decreased. Total soluble solids, reducing sugars and TSS/Acid ratio gradually increased from 0 to 60 days of storage, followed by 25% cashew apple juice + 75% pineapple juice (T6). Organoleptic score for RTS prepared from 25% cashew apple juice + 75% mango juice blend (T3), followed by 50% cashew apple juice + 50% mango juice blend (T2), 25% cashew apple juice + 75% pineapple juice blend (T6) and 50% cashew apple juice + 50% pineapple juice blend (T5), were found to be high on quality, viz., colour, taste and overall acceptability, up to 60 days of storage, and were economical for RTS preparation

Mental health literacy of depression: gender differences and attitudinal antecedents in a representative British sample

Background Poor mental health literacy and negative attitudes toward individuals with mental health disorders may impede optimal help-seeking for symptoms of mental ill-health. The present study examined the ability to recognize cases of depression as a function of respondent and target gender, as well as individual psychological differences in attitudes toward persons with depression. Methods In a representative British general population survey, the ability to correctly recognize vignettes of depression was assessed among 1,218 adults. Respondents also rated the vignettes along a number of attitudinal dimensions and completed measures of attitudes toward seeking psychological help, psychiatric skepticism, and anti-scientific attitudes. Results There were significant differences in the ability to correctly identify cases of depression as a function of respondent and target gender. Respondents were more likely to indicate that a male vignette did not suffer from a mental health disorder compared to a female vignette, and women were more likely than men to indicate that the male vignette suffered from a mental health disorder. Attitudes toward persons with depression were associated with attitudes toward seeking psychological help, psychiatric skepticism, and anti-scientific attitudes. Conclusion Initiatives that consider the impact of gender stereotypes as well as individual differences may enhance mental health literacy, which in turn is associated with improved help-seeking behaviors for symptoms of mental ill-health

Analysis of Attic Radiant Barrier Systems Using Mathematical Models

During the past six years, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has conducted extensive experimental research on radiant barrier systems (RBS). This paper presents recent research on the development of mathematical attic models. Two levels of modeling capability have been developed. A very simplified model based on ASHRAE procedures in used to study the sensitivity of RBS performance parameters, and a very detailed finite element model is used to study highly complex phenomena, including moisture adsorption and desorption in attics. The speed of the simple model allows a large range of attic parameters to be studies quickly, and the finite element model provides a detailed understanding of combined heat and moisture transport in attics. This paper concentrates on a parametric analysis of attic RBS using the simplified model. The development of the model is described, and results of the parametric analyses are presented and discussed. Preliminary results from the finite element model are also compared with measurements from a test attic to illustrate the effects of moisture adsorption and desorption in common attics

Effect of cadmium chloride on general body colouration and chromatophores of stinging cat fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Chromatophores, specialized pigment cells in poikilothermic animals, have shown great potential in their use as a cell-based biosensor in the detection of a broad range of environmental toxicants, as structure and number of chromatophores alters significantly under toxicant exposure. Skin coloration of Heteropneustes fossilis is due to melanin containing melanophores. Cadmium, the black listed and non essential heavy metal, is widely used that adversely affects vital activities of aquatic biota. H. fossilis, freshwater Indian stinging catfish, were subjected to exposure of 96 hour LC50 dose (392.92 mg/l) and 25% of 96 hour LC50 dose (98.23mg/l) of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) to evaluate toxic impact of cadmium on colouration and chromatophores. A significant decrease was observed in number of chromatophores after acute (highly significant (F = 70.50; P<0.001) and sub acute (significant (F = 0.29; P<0.05) exposure along with heavy nacrotic, lytic and degenerative changes. Chromatophore gradually changed from reticulate to punctate-stellate and punctuate type as they lost their dendritic processes and aggregation of melanin towards centre. Most of the chromatophores lost their cellular entity due to degenerative changes and melanin was found dispersed in surrounding matrix. Peeling and fading of skin was the common feature in all exposure durations. Fish chromatophores may serve as better biomarkers in reference to metallic pollution and will also be helpful in accessing the health status of economically important fishes as well as worsening status of aquatic bodies