A real-time facial expression recognition system for affective computing

A thesis submitted to the University of London in partial fulfillment to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Cellular Simultanous Recurrent Networks for Image Processing

Artificial neural networks are inspired by the abilities of humans and animals to learn and adapt. Feed-forward networks are both fast and powerful, and are particularly useful for statistical pattern recognition. These networks are inspired by portions of the brain such as the visual cortex. However, feed-forward networks have been shown inadequate for complex applications such as long-term optimization, reinforced learning and image processing. Cellular Neural Networks (CNNs) are a type of recurrent network which have been used extensively for image processing. CNNs have shown limited success solving problems which involve topological relationships. Such problems include geometric transformations such as affine transformation and image registration. The Cellular Simultaneous Recurrent Network (CSRN) has been exploited to solve the 2D maze traversal problem, which is a long-term optimization problem with similar topological relations. From its inception, it has been speculated that the CSRN may have important implications in image processing. However, to date, very little work has been done to study CSRNs for image processing tasks. In this work, we investigate CSRNs for image processing. We propose a novel, generalized architecture for the CSRN suitable for generic image processing tasks. This architecture includes the use of sub-image processing which greatly improves the efficacy of CSRNs for image processing. We demonstrate the application of the CSRN with this generalized architecture across a variety of image processing problems including pixel level transformations, filtering, and geometric transformations. Results are evaluated and compared with standard MATLAB® functions. To better understand the inner workings of the CSRN we investigate the use of various CSRN cores including: 1) the original Generalized Multi-Layered Perceptron (GMLP) core used by Pang and Werbos to solve the 2D maze traversal problem, 2) the Elman Simultaneous Recurrent Network (ESRN), and 3) a novel ESRN core with multi-layered feedback. We compare the functionality of these cores in image processing applications. Further, we introduce the application of the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) for training of the CSRN. Results are compared with the standard Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) training method of CSRN. Finally, implications of current findings and proposed research directions are presented

Impacts of a Standing Disaster Payment Program on U.S. Crop Insurance

This research investigates the potential effects of the standing disaster assistance program proposed in the Senate version of the 2008 Farm Bill. Results suggest no significant impact on producer crop insurance purchase decisions. Payments under the program should be expected to differ considerably across geographic regions and levels of diversification, with the program providing the greatest benefit to undiversified producers in more risky production regions (e.g., the Southern Plains).

Impacts of the SURE Standing Disaster Assistance Program on Producer Risk Management and Crop Insurance Programs

This research investigates the potential effects of the row crop provisions of the standing disaster assistance program (SURE) in the 2008 Farm Bill. Results suggest little impact on producer crop insurance purchase decisions, though the program does seem to provide an incentive for mid-level coverage. Payments under the program should be expected to differ considerably across geographic regions and levels of diversification, with the program providing the greatest benefit to undiversified producers in more risky production regions.crop insurance, disaster assistance, Farm Bill, SURE, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Risk and Uncertainty, Q12, Q18,

Doctors with dyslexia: a world of stigma, stonewalling and silence, still?

Introduction: Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty, affecting 10% of the UK and worldwide populations. It is also becoming increasingly recognised within medical education. There is little research into the experiences of doctors with dyslexia. This paper forms part five of a programme of research from the authors into the experiences of UK medical students and junior doctors with dyslexia. Our research question is: “what are the lived experiences of medical students and junior doctors with dyslexia?” Methods: This is an Interpretive Phenomenological (qualitative) study. Dyslexic doctors were recruited from a single UK Foundation School. Participants were interviewed, in-depth, by telephone. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. These underwent a thematic Template Analysis, which was verified in an iterative manner by both researchers. Results: Eight participants were interviewed. Core themes emerging for junior doctors’ experiences were: Their “disease”; perception from others; stonewalling; emotional responses; disclosure; influence on career pathway; and working life as the real word. Conclusions: Our results highlight a world of stigma, stonewalling, bullying and a reluctance to disclose. These results may suggest a need for education and public information about dyslexia, to begin to tackle this prejudice. Making adjustments to time in undergraduate exams may also not be enough. One of the most startling findings was the fear of being identified as “dyslexic”. Keywords: Dyslexia, Interpretive Phenomenology, Specific Learning Difficulties, Junior Doctors, Lived Experience

Stratospheric controlled perturbation experiment: a small-scale experiment to improve understanding of the risks of solar geoengineering

Although solar radiation management (SRM) through stratospheric aerosol methods has the potential to mitigate impacts of climate change, our current knowledge of stratospheric processes suggests that these methods may entail significant risks. In addition to the risks associated with current knowledge, the possibility of ‘unknown unknowns’ exists that could significantly alter the risk assessment relative to our current understanding. While laboratory experimentation can improve the current state of knowledge and atmospheric models can assess large-scale climate response, they cannot capture possible unknown chemistry or represent the full range of interactive atmospheric chemical physics. Small-scale, in situ experimentation under well-regulated circumstances can begin to remove some of these uncertainties. This experiment—provisionally titled the stratospheric controlled perturbation experiment—is under development and will only proceed with transparent and predominantly governmental funding and independent risk assessment. We describe the scientific and technical foundation for performing, under external oversight, small-scale experiments to quantify the risks posed by SRM to activation of halogen species and subsequent erosion of stratospheric ozone. The paper's scope includes selection of the measurement platform, relevant aspects of stratospheric meteorology, operational considerations and instrument design and engineering

The Demand for Agricultural Water in Utah

Water is recognized as an essential element in Utah\u27s agricultural economy. It is the subject of much controvery and litigation and yet most discussion of the subject is based on opinions and prejudice rather than upon the basis of sound scientific evidence. This paper attempts to provide some of the economic information necessary for sound decisions in the development and use of Utah\u27s water resources with respect to agriculture. Utah has been divided into ten drainage regions (hydrologi subregions) and the presently irrigated and potentially irrigable land according to land class were estimated for each country or portion of a county within each of the regions. Water use factors, crop rotation constraints, costs of porductions, yields, product prices, and costs of bringing new land into production were also estiamted. These values were then used in a linear programming model to estiamte a normalized demand (marginal value product) schedule for water to be used in agricultural production within each regions. The amount of water made available to the production model for each hydrologic subregion was varied so that the model created a shadow price (marginal value product) at each level. These were then combined to estiamte the relationship between the quantity of water and its economic value (a demand schedule or function). The general conclusions from the study indicate that most parts of the state suffer from a water shortage in that more production could be obtained from the presently irrigated land through the use of more water and/or the tranfer of water from lands with low productivity to higher quality land. There are, however, many cases of water waste. The model is not designed to adequately evaluate the economic feasibility of water importation projects but those regions with the greatest potential for development are identified. The models indicate that, given the present cost and price structure, agriculture alone probably could not economically justify most water importation schemes at this time

Equipment Data Collection...Simplified

PresentationLack of Equipment Data is a fundamental barrier to understanding asset performance inside of and outside of ERP solutions. Defining the solution is highly dependent on the organization’s existing IT infrastructure, the effectiveness of implementation of these solutions and continuing support to keep data accurate. The costs of the solution can vary by one or more orders of magnitude depending on the organizational goals and value propositions communicated to management. This presentation will address this topic and describe three levels of solution: • Non-Integrated/Unstructured Data – Field Data Collection Tools w/o Comparative Reporting in SAP • Integrated/Structured Data– Intergraph / SAP/ Comparative Reporting • Integrated/Structure Data + Data Governance For Master Data – Intergraph MDG Master Data Governance SAP Solution We will discuss a Multi-generation approach and benefits associated with each generation. We will show a product in each space that can accomplish the above stated objectives