Face authentication test on the BANCA database

This work details the results of a face authentication test (FAT2004) (http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/banca/icpr2004) held in conjunction with the 17th International Conference on Pattern Recognition. The contest was held on the publicly available BANCA database (http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/banca) according to a defined protocol (E. Bailly-Bailliere et al., June 2003). The competition also had a sequestered part in which institutions had to submit their algorithms for independent testing. 13 different verification algorithms from 10 institutions submitted results. Also, a standard set of face recognition software packages from the Internet (http://www.cs.colostate.edu/evalfacerec) were used to provide a baseline performance measure.

The rademacher complexity of coregularized kernel classes

In the multi-view approach to semisupervised learning, we choose one predictor from each of multiple hypothesis classes, and we co-regularize our choices by penalizing disagreement among the predictors on the unlabeled data. We examine the co-regularization method used in the co-regularized least squares (CoRLS) algorithm, in which the views are reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces (RKHS's), and the disagreement penalty is the average squared difference in predictions. The final predictor is the pointwise average of the predictors from each view. We call the set of predictors that can result from this procedure the co-regularized hypothesis class. Our main result is a tight bound on the Rademacher complexity of the co-regularized hypothesis class in terms of the kernel matrices of each RKHS. We find that the co-regularization reduces the Rademacher complexity by an amount that depends on the distance between the two views, as measured by a data dependent metric. We then use standard techniques to bound the gap between training error and test error for the CoRLS algorithm. Experimentally, we find that the amount of reduction in complexity introduced by co regularization correlates with the amount of improvement that co-regularization gives in the CoRLS algorithm.

Destination positioning opportunities using personal values : elicited through the Repertory Test with Laddering Analysis

While in many travel situations there is an almost limitless range of available destinations, travellers will usually only actively consider two to six in their decision set. One of the greatest challenges facing destination marketers is positioning their destination, against the myriad of competing places that offer similar features, into consumer decision sets. Since positioning requires a narrow focus, marketing communications must present a succinct and meaningful proposition, the selection of which is often problematic for destination marketing organisations (DMO), which deal with a diverse and often eclectic range of attributes in addition to self-interested and demanding stakeholders who have interests in different market segments. This paper reports the application of two qualitative techniques used to explore the range of cognitive attributes, consequences and personal values that represent potential positioning opportunities in the context of short break holidays. The Repertory Test is an effective technique for understanding the salient attributes used by a traveller to differentiate destinations, and Laddering Analysis enables the researcher to explore the smaller set of consequences and personal values guiding such decision making. A key finding of the research was that while individuals might vary in their repertoire of salient attributes, there was a commonality of shared consequences and values. This has important implications for DMOs, since a brand positioning theme that is based on a value will subsume multiple and diverse attributes. It is posited that such a theme will appeal to a broader range of travellers, as well as appease a greater number of destination stakeholders, than would an attribute based theme.

Mechanical behaviours of pumpkin peel under compression test

Mechanical damages such as bruising, collision and impact during food processing stages diminish quality and quantity of productions as well as efficiency of operations. Studying mechanical characteristics of food materials will help to enhance current industrial practices. Mechanical properties of fruits and vegetables describe how these materials behave under loading in real industrial operations. Optimizing and designing more efficient equipments require accurate and precise information of tissue behaviours. FE modelling of food industrial processes is an effective method of studying interrelation of variables during mechanical operation. In this study, empirical investigation has been done on mechanical properties of pumpkin peel. The test was a part of FE modelling and simulation of mechanical peeling stage of tough skinned vegetables. The compression test has been conducted on Jap variety of pumpkin. Additionally, stress strain curve, bio-yield and toughness of pumpkin skin have been calculated. The required energy for reaching bio-yield point was 493.75, 507.71 and 451.71 N.mm for 1.25, 10 and 20 mm/min loading speed respectively. Average value of force in bio-yield point for pumpkin peel was 310 N.

DEM test, visagraph eye movement recordings, and reading ability in children

Purpose. To determine how Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) test results relate to reading eye movement patterns recorded with the Visagraph in visually normal children, and whether DEM results and recorded eye movement patterns relate to standardized reading achievement scores. Methods. Fifty-nine school-age children (age = 9.7 ± 0.6 years) completed the DEM test and had eye movements recorded with the Visagraph III test while reading for comprehension. Monocular visual acuity in each eye and random dot stereoacuity were measured and standardized scores on independently administered reading comprehension tests [reading progress test (RPT)] were obtained. Results. Children with slower DEM horizontal and vertical adjusted times tended to have slower reading rates with the Visagraph (r = -0.547 and -0.414 respectively). Although a significant correlation was also found between the DEM ratio and Visagraph reading rate (r = -0.368), the strength of the relationship was less than that between DEM horizontal adjusted time and reading rate. DEM outcome scores were not significantly associated with RPT scores. When the relative contribution of reading ability (RPT) and DEM scores was accounted for in multivariate analysis, DEM outcomes were not significantly associated with Visagraph reading rate. RPT scores were associated with Visagraph outcomes of duration of fixations (r = -0.403) and calculated reading rate (r = 0.366) but not with DEM outcomes. Conclusions.DEM outcomes can identify children whose Visagraph recorded eye movement patterns show slow reading rates. However, when reading ability is accounted for, DEM outcomes are a poor predictor of reading rate. Visagraph outcomes of duration of fixation and reading rate relate to standardized reading achievement scores; however, DEM results do not. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Optometry.

Performance control of distributed generation using digital estimation of signal parameters

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) allows the presentation of a thesis for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the format of published or submitted papers, where such papers have been published, accepted or submitted during the period of candidature. This thesis is composed of seven published/submitted papers, of which one has been published, three accepted for publication and the other three are under review. This project is financially supported by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Grant with the aim of proposing strategies for the performance control of Distributed Generation (DG) system with digital estimation of power system signal parameters. Distributed Generation (DG) has been recently introduced as a new concept for the generation of power and the enhancement of conventionally produced electricity. Global warming issue calls for renewable energy resources in electricity production. Distributed generation based on solar energy (photovoltaic and solar thermal), wind, biomass, mini-hydro along with use of fuel cell and micro turbine will gain substantial momentum in the near future. Technically, DG can be a viable solution for the issue of the integration of renewable or non-conventional energy resources. Basically, DG sources can be connected to local power system through power electronic devices, i.e. inverters or ac-ac converters. The interconnection of DG systems to power system as a compensator or a power source with high quality performance is the main aim of this study. Source and load unbalance, load non-linearity, interharmonic distortion, supply voltage distortion, distortion at the point of common coupling in weak source cases, source current power factor, and synchronism of generated currents or voltages are the issues of concern. The interconnection of DG sources shall be carried out by using power electronics switching devices that inject high frequency components rather than the desired current. Also, noise and harmonic distortions can impact the performance of the control strategies. To be able to mitigate the negative effect of high frequency and harmonic as well as noise distortion to achieve satisfactory performance of DG systems, new methods of signal parameter estimation have been proposed in this thesis. These methods are based on processing the digital samples of power system signals. Thus, proposing advanced techniques for the digital estimation of signal parameters and methods for the generation of DG reference currents using the estimates provided is the targeted scope of this thesis. An introduction to this research – including a description of the research problem, the literature review and an account of the research progress linking the research papers – is presented in Chapter 1. One of the main parameters of a power system signal is its frequency. Phasor Measurement (PM) technique is one of the renowned and advanced techniques used for the estimation of power system frequency. Chapter 2 focuses on an in-depth analysis conducted on the PM technique to reveal its strengths and drawbacks. The analysis will be followed by a new technique proposed to enhance the speed of the PM technique while the input signal is free of even-order harmonics. The other techniques proposed in this thesis as the novel ones will be compared with the PM technique comprehensively studied in Chapter 2. An algorithm based on the concept of Kalman filtering is proposed in Chapter 3. The algorithm is intended to estimate signal parameters like amplitude, frequency and phase angle in the online mode. The Kalman filter is modified to operate on the output signal of a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter designed by a plain summation. The frequency estimation unit is independent from the Kalman filter and uses the samples refined by the FIR filter. The frequency estimated is given to the Kalman filter to be used in building the transition matrices. The initial settings for the modified Kalman filter are obtained through a trial and error exercise. Another algorithm again based on the concept of Kalman filtering is proposed in Chapter 4 for the estimation of signal parameters. The Kalman filter is also modified to operate on the output signal of the same FIR filter explained above. Nevertheless, the frequency estimation unit, unlike the one proposed in Chapter 3, is not segregated and it interacts with the Kalman filter. The frequency estimated is given to the Kalman filter and other parameters such as the amplitudes and phase angles estimated by the Kalman filter is taken to the frequency estimation unit. Chapter 5 proposes another algorithm based on the concept of Kalman filtering. This time, the state parameters are obtained through matrix arrangements where the noise level is reduced on the sample vector. The purified state vector is used to obtain a new measurement vector for a basic Kalman filter applied. The Kalman filter used has similar structure to a basic Kalman filter except the initial settings are computed through an extensive math-work with regards to the matrix arrangement utilized. Chapter 6 proposes another algorithm based on the concept of Kalman filtering similar to that of Chapter 3. However, this time the initial settings required for the better performance of the modified Kalman filter are calculated instead of being guessed by trial and error exercises. The simulations results for the parameters of signal estimated are enhanced due to the correct settings applied. Moreover, an enhanced Least Error Square (LES) technique is proposed to take on the estimation when a critical transient is detected in the input signal. In fact, some large, sudden changes in the parameters of the signal at these critical transients are not very well tracked by Kalman filtering. However, the proposed LES technique is found to be much faster in tracking these changes. Therefore, an appropriate combination of the LES and modified Kalman filtering is proposed in Chapter 6. Also, this time the ability of the proposed algorithm is verified on the real data obtained from a prototype test object. Chapter 7 proposes the other algorithm based on the concept of Kalman filtering similar to those of Chapter 3 and 6. However, this time an optimal digital filter is designed instead of the simple summation FIR filter. New initial settings for the modified Kalman filter are calculated based on the coefficients of the digital filter applied. Also, the ability of the proposed algorithm is verified on the real data obtained from a prototype test object. Chapter 8 uses the estimation algorithm proposed in Chapter 7 for the interconnection scheme of a DG to power network. Robust estimates of the signal amplitudes and phase angles obtained by the estimation approach are used in the reference generation of the compensation scheme. Several simulation tests provided in this chapter show that the proposed scheme can very well handle the source and load unbalance, load non-linearity, interharmonic distortion, supply voltage distortion, and synchronism of generated currents or voltages. The purposed compensation scheme also prevents distortion in voltage at the point of common coupling in weak source cases, balances the source currents, and makes the supply side power factor a desired value.

‘Spotty Dick’ : a research experiment to test design suitability for the use of jewelled spot matrix patterns for UV aware men’s swimwear

The great male Aussie cossie is growing spots. The ‘dick’ tog, as it is colloquially referred to, is linked to Australia’s national identify with overtly masculine bronzed Aussie bodies clothed in this iconic apparel. Yet the reality is our hunger for worshiping the sun and the addiction to a beach lifestyle is tempered by the pragmatic need for neck-to-knee, or more apt head-to-toe, swimwear. Spotty Dick is an irreverent play on male swimwear – it experiments with alternate modes to sheath the body with Lyrca in order to protect it from searing UV’s and at the same time light-heartedly fools around with texture and pattern; to be specific, black Scharovsky crystals, jewelled in spot patterns - jewelled clothing is not characteristically aligned to menswear and even less so to the great Aussie cossie. The crystals form a matrix of spots that attempt to provoke a sense of mischievousness aligned to the Aussie beach larrikin. Ironically, spot patterns are in itself a form of a parody, as prolonged sun exposure ages the skin and sun spots can occur if appropriate sun protection is not used. ‘Spotty Dick’ – a research experiment to test design suitability for the use of jewelled spot matrix patterns for UV aware men’s swimwear. The creative work was paraded at 56 shows, over a 2 week period, and an estimated 50,000 people viewed the work.

Test of a model of the effects of parental illness on youth and family functioning

Objective: Parental illness (PI) may have adverse impacts on youth and family functioning. Research in this area has suffered from the absence of a guiding comprehensive framework. This study tested a conceptual model of the effects of PI on youth and family functioning derived from the Family Ecology Framework (FEF; Pedersen & Revenson, 2005). Method. A total of 85 parents with multiple sclerosis and 127 youth completed questionnaires at Time 1 and 12 months later at Time 2. Results. Structural equation modeling results supported the FEF with regards to physical-illness disability. Specifically, the proposed mediators (role redistribution, stress, and stigma) were implicated in the processes that link parental disability to several domains of youth adjustment. The results suggest that the effects of parental depression (PD) are not mediated through these processes; rather, PD directly affects family functioning, which in turn mediates the effects onto youth adjustment. Family functioning further mediated between PD and youth well-being and behavioral-social difficulties. Conclusions. Although results support the effects of parental-illness disability on youth and family functioning via the proposed mediational mechanisms, the additive effects of PD on youth physical and mental health occur through direct and indirect (via family functioning) pathways, respectively.

A first stage test of Dunning's framework on multinational contracting into Australia : reviewing secondary data.

In response to the need to leverage private finance and the lack of competition in some parts of the Australian public sector infrastructure market, especially in the very large economic infrastructure sector procured using Pubic Private Partnerships, the Australian Federal government has demonstrated its desire to attract new sources of in-bound foreign direct investment (FDI). This paper aims to report on progress towards an investigation into the determinants of multinational contractors’ willingness to bid for Australian public sector major infrastructure projects. This research deploys Dunning’s eclectic theory for the first time in terms of in-bound FDI by multinational contractors into Australia. Elsewhere, the authors have developed Dunning’s principal hypothesis to suit the context of this research and to address a weakness arising in this hypothesis that is based on a nominal approach to the factors in Dunning's eclectic framework and which fails to speak to the relative explanatory power of these factors. In this paper, a first stage test of the authors' development of Dunning's hypothesis is presented by way of an initial review of secondary data vis-à-vis the selected sector (roads and bridges) in Australia (as the host location) and with respect to four selected home countries (China; Japan; Spain; and US). In doing so, the next stage in the research method concerning sampling and case studies is also further developed and described in this paper. In conclusion, the extent to which the initial review of secondary data suggests the relative importance of the factors in the eclectic framework is considered. It is noted that more robust conclusions are expected following the future planned stages of the research including primary data from the case studies and a global survey of the world’s largest contractors and which is briefly previewed. Finally, and beyond theoretical contributions expected from the overall approach taken to developing and testing Dunning’s framework, other expected contributions concerning research method and practical implications are mentioned.

Peer state assessment of TxDOT maintenance program and practices, part II : test section survey findings and recommendations

This paper presents a road survey as part of a workshop conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to evaluate and improve the maintenance practices of the Texas highway system. Directors of maintenance from six peer states (California, Kansas, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, and Washington) were invited to this 3-day workshop. One of the important parts of this workshop was a Maintenance Test Section Survey (MTSS) to evaluate a number of pre-selected one-mile roadway sections. The workshop schedule allowed half a day to conduct the field survey and 34 sections were evaluated. Each of the evaluators was given a booklet and asked to rate the selected road sections. The goals of the MTSS were to: 1. Assess the threshold level at which maintenance activities are required as perceived by the evaluators from the peer states; 2. Assess the threshold level at which maintenance activities are required as perceived by evaluators from other TxDOT districts; and 3. Perform a pilot evaluation of the MTSS concept. This paper summarizes the information obtained from survey and discusses the major findings based on a statistical analysis of the data and comments from the survey participants.

International entrepreneurial values elicited through repertory test and laddering analysis : an SME, internet-enabled tourism perspective

This study explores the international entrepreneurial values influencing the intensity of Internet use in the internationalization process of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), within the Australian tourism industry. The findings point to a relationship between the values of international entrepreneurs and the inclination of the firm to develop and initiate international activity. And so, this study endeavors to offer insight into issues that remain unresolved in existing tourism and international entrepreneurship (IE) literature. Two effective but underutilized qualitative methods were used in this study to identify the values of international entrepreneurs. They are repertory test and laddering analysis.