Gesture recognition through angle space

As the notion of ubiquitous computing becomes a reality, the keyboard and mouse paradigm become less satisfactory as an input modality. The ability to interpret gestures can open another dimension in the user interface technology. In this paper, we present a novel approach for dynamic hand gesture modeling using neural networks. The results show high accuracy in detecting single and multiple gestures, which makes this a promising approach for gesture recognition from continuous input with undetermined boundaries. This method is independent of the input device and can be applied as a general back-end processor for gesture recognition systems

A formal model of emotional-response, inspired from human cognition and emotion systems

In this paper, we used the formalisms of decision-making theory and theories in psychology, physiology and cognition to proposing a macro model of human emotional-response. We believe that using such formalism can fill the gap between psychology, cognitive science and AI, and can be useful in the design of human-like agents. This model can be used in a wide variety of applications such as artificial agents, user interface, and intelligent tutoring systems. Using the proposed model, we can provide for human behaviors like mood, personality and biological response in machines. This capability will enable such systems, to adapt their responses and behaviors. In situations where there are multiple ways for performing an action, this model can help with the decision making process

A color hand gesture database for evaluating and improving algorithms on hand gesture and posture recognition

With the increase of research activities in vision-based hand posture and gesture recognition, new methods and algorithms are being developed. Although less attention is being paid to developing a standard platform for this purpose. Developing a database of hand gesture images is a necessary first step for standardizing the research on hand gesture recognition. For this purpose, we have developed an image database of hand posture and gesture images. The database contains hand images in different lighting conditions and collected using a digital camera. Details of the automatic segmentation and clipping of the hands are also discussed in this paper

Chemical and Physical Studies of Secondary Organic Aerosol Formed from Beta-pinene Photooxidation

Atmospheric organic aerosols have a significant impact on climate and human health. However, our understanding of the physical and chemical properties of these aerosols is inadequate, thus their climate and health influences are poorly constrained. In this study, we investigated the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from OH-initiated oxidation of -pinene. The majority of experiments were conducted in the York University smog chamber. The main objective was to identify the gas and particle phase products with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometer (APCI-MS/MS). A wide variety of products were identified containing various functional groups including alcohol, aldehyde, carboxylic acid, ketone and nitrate. Following the chemical composition characterization of products, the shape, phase state and density of generated particles were determined. Images from a scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that SOA particles from -pinene were commonly spherical in shape, and adopted an amorphous semi-solid/liquid state. Additionally, the density was determined for SOA particles generated from -pinene/OH, nopinone/OH and nopinone/NO3 experiments for the first time using a tapered element oscillating microbalance-scanning mobility particle sizer (TEOM-SMPS) method. Our results showed a correlation between the determined particle density and the particle chemical composition of the respective system. This demonstrates that changes in particle density can be indicative of the changes in chemical composition of particles. We also investigated the chemical aging of oxidation products by exposing them to additional OH radicals or ozone. The observed changes in chemical composition of products and additional SOA mass production during OH-induced aging were attributed to further oxidation of gas phase intermediate products. The NOx dependence of SOA formation from -pinene photooxidation was investigated in the York University smog chamber and the Jlich Plant Atmosphere Chamber (JPAC). Consistent with previous NOx studies, SOA yields increased with increasing [NOx] at low-NOx conditions, whereas increasing [NOx] at high-NOx conditions suppressed the SOA yield. This increase was attributed to an increase of OH concentration. After removing the effect of [OH] on SOA yield in the JPAC, SOA yields only decreased with increasing [NOx]. Finally, the formation mechanisms of identified products were probed based on the information acquired throughout our study

Instruction of Citation Management Tools by Academic Librarians: The Need for Training the Trainers

The present paper is the result of a research which aimed to review the current level of support and training provided for the reference management software (also known as citation management tools) by academic libraries. The data was gathered on the basis of a survey of Iranian universities’ websites. The results revealed that in about 50 percent of Iranian universities, there is no information about reference management software at their websites at all. In less than half of the remaining 39 universities, central library is responsible for introducing and training of citations and reference management software. Research deputies and faculty scholarly associations have been other organizers of reference management software training. Furthermore, the results show that more than 90 percent of universities perform their training in face to face format only. EndNote is the only citation management software supported approximately by all universities. Teaching other reference management tools, such as Mendeley or Zotero, has been very limited. Central libraries of 11 universities have regular training programs for EndNote. Authors suggest that librarians themselves get instruction on using citation management tools to be able to teach library users. Also, there is a need for providing online tutorials on reference management software

Laser speckle strain and deformation sensor using linear array image cross-correlation method for specifically arranged triple-beam triple-camera configuration

The invention provides a method of triple-beam and triple-sensor in a laser speckle strain/deformation measurement system. The triple-beam/triple-camera configuration combined with sequential timing of laser beam shutters is capable of providing indications of surface strain and structure deformations. The strain and deformation quantities, the four variables of surface strain, in-plane displacement, out-of-plane displacement and tilt, are determined in closed form solutions