Improving the performance of facial expression recognition using dynamic, subtle and regional features

Human facial expression is a complex process characterized of dynamic, subtle and regional emotional features. State-of-the-art approaches on facial expression recognition (FER) have not fully utilized this kind of features to improve the recognition performance. This paper proposes an approach to overcome this limitation using patch-based ‘salient’ Gabor features. A set of 3D patches are extracted to represent the subtle and regional features, and then inputted into patch matching operations for capturing the dynamic features. Experimental results show a significant performance improvement of the proposed approach due to the use of the dynamic features. Performance comparison with pervious work also confirms that the proposed approach achieves the highest CRR reported to date on the JAFFE database and a top-level performance on the Cohn-Kanade (CK) database.

Dynamic response of distributed generators in a hybrid microgrid

A microgrid may be supplied from inertial (rotating type) and non-inertial (converter-interfaced) distributed generators (DGs). However the dynamic response of these two types of DGs is different. Inertial DGs have a slower response due to their governor characteristics while non inertial DGs have the ability to respond very quickly. The focus of this paper is to propose better controls using droop characteristics to improve the dynamic interaction between different DG types in an autonomous microgrid. The transient behavior of DGs in the microgrid is investigated during the DG synchronization and load changes. Power sharing strategies based on frequency and voltage droop are considered for DGs. Droop control strategies are proposed for DGs to improve the smooth synchronization and dynamic power sharing minimizing transient oscillations in the microgrid. Simulation studies are carried out on PSCAD for validation.

Urban maze : A typological investigation in porous morphology and dynamic pedestrian networks

Mixed use typologies and pedestrian networks are two strategies commonly applied in design of the contemporary city. These approaches, aimed towards the creation of a more sustainalble urban environment, have their roots in the traditional, pre-industrial towns; they characterize urban form, articulating the tension between privaate and public realms through a series of typological variations as well as stimulating commercial activity in the city centre. Arcades, loggias and verandas are just some of the elements which can mediate this tension. Historically they have defined physical and social spaces with particular character; in the contemporary city these features are applied to deform the urban form and create a porous, dynamic morphology. This paper, comparing case studies from Italy, Japan and Australia, investigates how the design of the transition zone can define hybrid pedestrian networks, where a clear distinction between the public and private realms is no longer applicable. Pedestrians use the city in a dynamic way, combining trajectories on the public street with ones on the fringe or inside of the private built environment. In some cases, cities offer different pedestrian network possibilities at different times, as the commercial precints are subject to variations in accessibility across various timeframes. These walkable systems have an impact on the urban form and identity of places, redefining typologies and requiring an in depth analysis through plan, section and elevation diagrams.

Dynamic axial ligand-site exchange in facially discriminated ruthenium(II) carbonyl and rhodium(III) halide metalloporphyrins

For a series of six-coordinate Ru(II)(CO)L or Rh(III)(X–)L porphyrins which are facially differentiated by having a naphthoquinol- or hydroquinol-containing strap across one face, we show that ligand migration from one face to the other can occur under mild conditions, and that ligand site preference is dependent on the nature of L and X–. For bulky nitrogen-based ligands, the strap can be displaced sideways to accommodate the ligand on the same side as the strap. For the ligand pyrazine, we show 1 H NMR evidence for monodentate and bidentate binding modes on both faces, dependent on ligand concentration and metalloporphyrin structure, and that inter-facial migration is rapid under normal conditions. For monodentate substituted pyridine ligands there is a site dependence on structure, and we show clear evidence of dynamic ligand migration through a series of ligand exchange reactions.

Stochastic simulation for spatial modelling of dynamic process in a living cell

One of the fundamental motivations underlying computational cell biology is to gain insight into the complicated dynamical processes taking place, for example, on the plasma membrane or in the cytosol of a cell. These processes are often so complicated that purely temporal mathematical models cannot adequately capture the complex chemical kinetics and transport processes of, for example, proteins or vesicles. On the other hand, spatial models such as Monte Carlo approaches can have very large computational overheads. This chapter gives an overview of the state of the art in the development of stochastic simulation techniques for the spatial modelling of dynamic processes in a living cell.

Dynamic texture reconstruction from sparse codes for unusual event detection in crowded scenes

Unusual event detection in crowded scenes remains challenging because of the diversity of events and noise. In this paper, we present a novel approach for unusual event detection via sparse reconstruction of dynamic textures over an overcomplete basis set, with the dynamic texture described by local binary patterns from three orthogonal planes (LBPTOP). The overcomplete basis set is learnt from the training data where only the normal items observed. In the detection process, given a new observation, we compute the sparse coefficients using the Dantzig Selector algorithm which was proposed in the literature of compressed sensing. Then the reconstruction errors are computed, based on which we detect the abnormal items. Our application can be used to detect both local and global abnormal events. We evaluate our algorithm on UCSD Abnormality Datasets for local anomaly detection, which is shown to outperform current state-of-the-art approaches, and we also get promising results for rapid escape detection using the PETS2009 dataset.

A multidisciplinary examination of fast bowling talent development in cricket

Research on expertise, talent identification and development has tended to be mono-disciplinary, typically adopting geno-centric or environmentalist positions, with an overriding focus on operational issues. In this thesis, the validity of dualist positions on sport expertise is evaluated. It is argued that, to advance understanding of expertise and talent development, a shift towards a multidisciplinary and integrative science focus is necessary, along with the development of a comprehensive multidisciplinary theoretical rationale. Dynamical systems theory is utilised as a multidisciplinary theoretical rationale for the succession of studies, capturing how multiple interacting constraints can shape the development of expert performers. Phase I of the research examines experiential knowledge of coaches and players on the development of fast bowling talent utilising qualitative research methodology. It provides insights into the developmental histories of expert fast bowlers, as well as coaching philosophies on the constraints of fast bowling expertise. Results suggest talent development programmes should eschew the notion of common optimal performance models and emphasize the individual nature of pathways to expertise. Coaching and talent development programmes should identify the range of interacting constraints that impinge on the performance potential of individual athletes, rather than evaluating current performance on physical tests referenced to group norms. Phase II of this research comprises three further studies that investigate several of the key components identified as important for fast bowling expertise, talent identification and development extrapolated from Phase I of this research. This multidisciplinary programme of work involves a comprehensive analysis of fast bowling performance in a cross-section of the Cricket Australia high performance pathways, from the junior, emerging and national elite fast bowling squads. Briefly, differences were found in trunk kinematics associated with the generation of ball speed across the three groups. These differences in release mechanics indicated the functional adaptations in movement patterns as bowlers’ physical and anatomical characteristics changed during maturation. Second to the generation of ball speed, the ability to produce a range of delivery types was highlighted as a key component of expertise in the qualitative phase. The ability of athletes to produce consistent results on different surfaces and in different environments has drawn attention to the challenge of measuring consistency and flexibility in skill assessments. Examination of fast bowlers in Phase II demonstrated that national bowlers can make adjustments to the accuracy of subsequent deliveries during performance of a cricket bowling skills test, and perform a range of delivery types with increased accuracy and consistency. Finally, variability in selected delivery stride ground reaction force components in fast bowling revealed the degenerate nature of this complex multi-articular skill where the same performance outcome can be achieved with unique movement strategies. Utilising qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine fast bowling expertise, the importance of degeneracy and adaptability in fast bowling has been highlighted alongside learning design that promotes dynamic learning environments.

Towards a model of dynamic capabilities in innovation-based competitive strategy : insights from project-oriented service firms

With the growing significance of services in most developed economies, there is an increased interest in the role of service innovation in service firm competitive strategy. Despite growing literature on service innovation, it remains fragmented reflecting the need for a model that captures key antecedents driving the service innovation-based competitive advantage process. Building on extant literature and using thirteen in-depth interviews with CEOs of project-oriented service firms, this paper presents a model of innovation-based competitive advantage. The emergent model suggests that entrepreneurial service firms pursuing innovation carefully select and use dynamic capabilities that enable them to achieve greater innovation and sustained competitive advantage. Our findings indicate that firms purposefully use create, extend and modify processes to build and nurture key dynamic capabilities. The paper presents a set of theoretical propositions to guide future research. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. Finally, directions for future research are outlined.