Nanostructured carbon films from supersonic cluster beam deposition: Structure and morphology

Nanostructured carbon thin films have been grown by deposition of cluster beams produced by a supersonic expansion. Due to separation effects typical of supersonic beams, films with different nanostructures can be grown by the simple intercepting of different regions of the cluster beam with a substrate. Films show a low-density porous structure, which has been characterized by Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy. Film morphology suggests that growth processes are similar to those occurring in a ballistic deposition regime.

Cluster analysis of heterogeneous rank data

Cluster analysis of ranking data, which occurs in consumer questionnaires, voting forms or other inquiries of preferences, attempts to identify typical groups of rank choices. Empirically measured rankings are often incomplete, i.e. different numbers of filled rank positions cause heterogeneity in the data. We propose a mixture approach for clustering of heterogeneous rank data. Rankings of different lengths can be described and compared by means of a single probabilistic model. A maximum entropy approach avoids hidden assumptions about missing rank positions. Parameter estimators and an efficient EM algorithm for unsupervised inference are derived for the ranking mixture model. Experiments on both synthetic data and real-world data demonstrate significantly improved parameter estimates on heterogeneous data when the incomplete rankings are included in the inference process.

Warped Mixtures for Nonparametric Cluster Shapes

A mixture of Gaussians fit to a single curved or heavy-tailed cluster will report that the data contains many clusters. To produce more appropriate clusterings, we introduce a model which warps a latent mixture of Gaussians to produce nonparametric cluster shapes. The possibly low-dimensional latent mixture model allows us to summarize the properties of the high-dimensional clusters (or density manifolds) describing the data. The number of manifolds, as well as the shape and dimension of each manifold is automatically inferred. We derive a simple inference scheme for this model which analytically integrates out both the mixture parameters and the warping function. We show that our model is effective for density estimation, performs better than infinite Gaussian mixture models at recovering the true number of clusters, and produces interpretable summaries of high-dimensional datasets.

Construction site image retrieval based on material cluster recognition

The capability to automatically identify shapes, objects and materials from the image content through direct and indirect methodologies has enabled the development of several civil engineering related applications that assist in the design, construction and maintenance of construction projects. This capability is a product of the technological breakthroughs in the area of image processing that has allowed for the development of a large number of digital imaging applications in all industries. In this paper, an automated and content based construction site image retrieval method is presented. This method is based on image retrieval techniques, and specifically those related with material and object identification and matches known material samples with material clusters within the image content. The results demonstrate the suitability of this method for construction site image retrieval purposes and reveal the capability of existing image processing technologies to accurately identify a wealth of materials from construction site images.

The Gaussian mixture MCMC particle algorithm for dynamic cluster tracking

We present a novel filtering algorithm for tracking multiple clusters of coordinated objects. Based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) mechanism, the new algorithm propagates a discrete approximation of the underlying filtering density. A dynamic Gaussian mixture model is utilized for representing the time-varying clustering structure. This involves point process formulations of typical behavioral moves such as birth and death of clusters as well as merging and splitting. For handling complex, possibly large scale scenarios, the sampling efficiency of the basic MCMC scheme is enhanced via the use of a Metropolis within Gibbs particle refinement step. As the proposed methodology essentially involves random set representations, a new type of estimator, termed the probability hypothesis density surface (PHDS), is derived for computing point estimates. It is further proved that this estimator is optimal in the sense of the mean relative entropy. Finally, the algorithm's performance is assessed and demonstrated in both synthetic and realistic tracking scenarios. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Brillouin scattering of cluster-assembled carbon films

The low frequency vibrational spectrum of cluster beam deposited carbon films was studied by Brillouin light scattering. In thin films the values of both bulk modulus and shear modulus has been estimated from the shifts of surface phonon peaks. The values found indicate a mainly sp2 coordinated random network with low density. In thick films a bulk longitudinal phonon peak was detected in a spectral range compatible with the value of the index of refraction and of the elastic constants of thin films. High surface roughness, combined with a rather strong bulk central peak, prevented the observation of surface phonon features. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spin-cluster effect and lattice-deformation-induced Kondo effect, spin-glass freezing, and strong phonon scattering in La 0.7 Ca 0.3Mn 1-xCr xO 3

Besides the Kondo effect observed in dilute magnetic alloys, the Cr-doped perovskite manganate compounds La0.7 Ca0.3 Mn1-x Crx O3 also exhibit Kondo effect and spin-glass freezing in a certain composition range. An extensive investigation for the La0.7 Ca0.3 Mn1-x Crx O3 (x=0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.3, 0.6, and 1.0) system on the magnetization and ac susceptibility, the resistivity and magnetoresistance, as well as the thermal conductivity is done at low temperature. The spin-glass behavior has been confirmed for these compounds with x=0.05, 0.1, and 0.3. For temperatures above Tf (the spin-glass freezing temperature) a Curie-Weiss law is obeyed. The paramagnetic Curie temperature θ is dependent on Cr doping. Below Tf there exists a Kondo minimum in the resistivity. Colossal magnetoresistance has been observed in this system with Cr concentration up to x=0.6. We suppose that the substitution of Mn with Cr dilutes Mn ions and changes the long-range ferromagnetic order of La0.7 Ca0.3 MnO3. These behaviors demonstrate that short-range ferromagnetic correlation and fluctuation exist among Mn spins far above Tf. Furthermore, these interactions are a precursor of the cooperative freezing at Tf. The "double bumps" feature in the resistivity-temperature curve is observed in compounds with x=0.05 and 0.1. The phonon scattering is enhanced at low temperatures, where the second peak of double bumps comes out. The results indicate that the spin-cluster effect and lattice deformation induce Kondo effect, spin-glass freezing, and strong phonon scattering in mixed perovskite La0.7 Ca0.3 Mn1-x Crx O3. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.

Exploring an effective model of new product development in medical devices: A knowledge cluster approach

This study proposes a new product development (NPD) model that aims to improve the effectiveness of innovative NPD in the medical devices. By adopting open innovation theory and applying an in-depth investigation methodology, this paper proposes a knowledge cluster that improves the integration of interdisciplinary human resources and enhances the acquirement of innovative technologies. A knowledge cluster approach helps gather, organise, synthesise, and accumulate knowledge in order to become the impetus for innovation. Although enterprises are no longer the principals of research and development, they should still be capable of integrating professional physicians, external groups, and individuals through the knowledge cluster platform. However, in order to support an effective NPD model, enterprises should provide adequate incentives and trust to external individuals or groups willing to contribute their expertise and knowledge to this knowledge cluster platform. Copyright © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.