Towards binocular active vision in a robot head system

This paper presents the first results of an investigation and pilot study into an active, binocular vision system that combines binocular vergence, object recognition and attention control in a unified framework. The prototype developed is capable of identifying, targeting, verging on and recognizing objects in a highly-cluttered scene without the need for calibration or other knowledge of the camera geometry. This is achieved by implementing all image analysis in a symbolic space without creating explicit pixel-space maps. The system structure is based on the ‘searchlight metaphor’ of biological systems. We present results of a first pilot investigation that yield a maximum vergence error of 6.4 pixels, while seven of nine known objects were recognized in a high-cluttered environment. Finally a “stepping stone” visual search strategy was demonstrated, taking a total of 40 saccades to find two known objects in the workspace, neither of which appeared simultaneously within the Field of View resulting from any individual saccade

Study: The Performance FFT and Wavelet Packet of OFDM Systems from through Demonstrated Numerical Examples

A major goal of the next-generation wireless communication systems is the development of a reliable highspeed wireless communication system that supports high user mobility. Multi-Carrier Modulation (MCM) technique is an attractive approach for high-speed digital radio communication systems in order to achieve a high spectral efficiency and to combat the frequency selectivity of the channel. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a kind of MCM techniques. As proven by the success of OFDM, multicarrier modulation has been recognized as an efficient solution for wireless communications. Waveform bases other than sine functions could similarly be used for multicarrier systems in order to provide an alternative to OFDM. Wavelet Packet Modulation (WPM) was proposed as one of the multicarrier transmission methods like OFDM. Since it is a multicarrier transmission method. In this paper, we study the performance of FFT-OFDM and wavelet Packet (WP)- OFDM from through demonstrated numerical examples, and evaluation of FFT-OFDM and DWPT-OFDM in AWGN channel , Flat fading channel and Selective Fading Channel

Psychometrics of the SDQ-I for Palestinian Adolescent Students

The Self-description Questionnaire–I (SDQ–I) is a multidimensional instrument that measures eight self-concept facets hypothesized in Shavelson’s hierarchical model. This study investigated self-concept in a sample of Palestinian adolescent students using an Arabic version of the SDQ–I. Three-hundred sixty adolescents (163 girls and 197 boys) aged 13 to 16 years (M = 14.3, SD = .87) participated. The 72-item SDQ–I was administered in four Palestinian schools to assess the psychometric properties of the SDQ–I. This included the factor structure and the internal consistency reliability of the SDQ–I subscales and mean score responses of Palestinian self-concept. Factor analysis results, which accounted for the majority of the variance, supported an underlying general self-concept factor structure that demonstrated the eight factors that the SDQ–I is designed to measure. This is consistent with previous studies in similar age groups and the SDQ– I reliabilities were similar to those reported in the literature. Students perceived total self-concept positively (mean = 3.71). Three facets of self-concept (parent relations, reading, and general self-concept) indicated high positive selfconcept. Correlations among the different dimensions were consistent with the hierarchical structure in Shavelson’s model. Overall, the findings provided compelling support for Shavelson’s model, and the structure validity of Western self-concept measure. Interpretations were provided for the discrepancies regarding the Palestinian-Arab culture

Manganese Oxide/Hemin-Functionalized Graphene as a Platform for Peroxynitrite Sensing

Peroxynitrite (ONOO−, PON) is a powerful oxidizing agent generated in vivo by the diffusion-limited reaction of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2˙−) radicals. Under oxidative stress, cumulated peroxynitrite levels are associated with chronic inflammatory disorders and other pathophysiological conditions. The accurate detection of peroxynitrite in biological systems is important, not only to understand the genesis and development of diseases, but also to explore and design potential therapeutics. Herein, a manganese oxide/hemin-modified graphene interface is explored as a platform for peroxynitrite amperometric detection. Hemin-functionalized reduced graphene oxide was further modified with manganese oxide nanoparticles to provide a composite material with catalytic activity toward the electrochemical oxidation of peroxynitrite. The morphology of the composite material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-Vis absorption measurements. We investigated the electrocatalytic oxidation of peroxynitrite on graphite electrodes modified with the composite material using cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The results showed that the incorporation of manganese oxide nanoparticles into graphene/hemin material enhances the catalytic detection of peroxynitrite compared to graphene/hemin alone

Synthetic Melanin Films as Potential Interfaces for Peroxynitrite Detection and Quantification

Peroxynitrite (PON) is a highly reactive oxygen-nitrogen species that facilitates both oxidation and nitration reactions. Early reports have revealed the deleterious effects of PON on DNA, proteins, and lipids. Recent studies have suggested that melanin can act as an antioxidative therapy to scavenge the reactive oxygen-nitrogen species (RO-NS) including PON. Melanin is a natural pigment that has many physiological functions involving the neutralization of highly oxidative species. In this project, the interaction between PON and synthetic melanin has been studied. In addition, the electrochemical characteristics of the polymerized 5,6-dihydroxy indole (DHI) as a model of synthetic melanin were examined using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). The ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy showed a significant difference in the absorbance of PON alone and in the presence of melanin films. Finally, we report on the possibility of using the DHI-melanin film as a platform for the quantitative detection of PON in solutions

Whole genome sequencing for mutation discovery in a single case of lysosomal storage disease (MPS type 1) in the dog.

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) is a metabolic storage disorder caused by the deficiency of any lysosomal enzyme required for the breakdown of glycosaminoglycans. A 15-month-old Boston Terrier presented with clinical signs consistent with lysosomal storage disease including corneal opacities, multifocal central nervous system disease and progressively worsening clinical course. Diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy based on histopathologic evaluation of multiple organs demonstrating accumulation of mucopolysaccharides. Whole genome sequencing was used to uncover a frame-shift insertion affecting the alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA) gene (c.19_20insCGGCCCCC), a mutation confirmed in another Boston Terrier presented 2 years later with a similar clinical picture. Both dogs were homozygous for the IDUA mutation and shared coat colors not recognized as normal for the breed by the American Kennel Club. In contrast, the mutation was not detected in 120 unrelated Boston Terriers as well as 202 dogs from other breeds. Recent inbreeding to select for recessive and unusual coat colors may have concentrated this relatively rare allele in the breed. The identification of the variant enables ante-mortem diagnosis of similar cases and selective breeding to avoid the spread of this disease in the breed. Boston Terriers carrying this variant represent a promising model for MPS I with neurological abnormalities in humans

The Odd Nadarajah-Haghighi Family of Distributions: Properties and Applications

We study some mathematical properties of a new generator of continuous distributions called the Odd Nadarajah-Haghighi (ONH) family. In particular, three special models in this family are investigated, namely the ONH gamma, beta and Weibull distributions. The family density function is given as a linear combination of exponentiated densities. Further, we propose a bivariate extension and various characterization results of the new family. We determine the maximum likelihood estimates of ONH parameters for complete and censored data. We provide a simulation study to verify the precision of these estimates. We illustrate the performance of the new family by means of a real data set

Beyond Site-Specific Criteria: Conservation of Migratory Birds and Their Habitats from a Network Perspective

Many populations of birds depend on networks of sites to survive. Sufficient connectivity that allows movement between the sites throughout the year is a critical requirement. We found that existing international frameworks and policies for identifying sites important for bird conservation focus more at the level of the individual site than on the site network and its connectivity. Only 21% of site criteria acknowledge the importance of movement networks for birds, and such network criteria were mostly (67%) qualitative. We suggest a three-step quantitative approach for informing conservation about the connectivity of bird movements (especially when migrating) from a network perspective, by reviewing current scientific knowledge. The first step is to construct a bird movement network by identifying sites frequently used by birds as ‘nodes’, and then define ‘edges’ from the probability of non-stop flight between each pair of nodes. The second step is to quantify network connectivity, i.e., the extent to which the site network facilitates bird movements. The last step is to assess the importance of each site from its contribution to network connectivity. This approach can serve as a tool for comprehensive and dynamic monitoring of the robustness of site networks during global change

Beyond Site-Specific Criteria: Conservation of Migratory Birds and Their Habitats from a Network Perspective

Many populations of birds depend on networks of sites to survive. Sufficient connectivity that allows movement between the sites throughout the year is a critical requirement. We found that existing international frameworks and policies for identifying sites important for bird conservation focus more at the level of the individual site than on the site network and its connectivity. Only 21% of site criteria acknowledge the importance of movement networks for birds, and such network criteria were mostly (67%) qualitative. We suggest a three-step quantitative approach for informing conservation about the connectivity of bird movements (especially when migrating) from a network perspective, by reviewing current scientific knowledge. The first step is to construct a bird movement network by identifying sites frequently used by birds as ‘nodes’, and then define ‘edges’ from the probability of non-stop flight between each pair of nodes. The second step is to quantify network connectivity, i.e., the extent to which the site network facilitates bird movements. The last step is to assess the importance of each site from its contribution to network connectivity. This approach can serve as a tool for comprehensive and dynamic monitoring of the robustness of site networks during global change

A simple sum rule for the thermal gluon spectral function and applications

In this paper, we derive a simple sum rule satisfied by the gluon spectral function at finite temperature. This sum rule is useful in order to calculate exactly some integrals that appear frequently in the photon or dilepton production rate by a quark gluon plasma. Using this sum rule, we rederive simply some known results and obtain some new results that would be extremely difficult to justify otherwise. In particular, we derive an exact expression for the collision integral that appears in the calculation of the Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal effect.Comment: 24 latex pages, 2 postscript figure