Use Of Multiple Functions Research Articles

Medical Image Fusion Using CNN with Automated Pooling

Background/Objectives : The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the most appropriate pooling is selected among different types of pooling techniques in CNN, for different applications related to image fusion. The work presents a novel method by which pooling is selected automatically as per the needs of the application. Methods: This study presents the use of multiple functions for pooling techniques which are selected automatically based on the input images to produce fused optimum output. This will make the classification process much easier and better end results are obtained. Finding: The developed automated pooling method performs better concerning processing time and produces optimal output for parameters like Peak Noise Signal Ratio, Mean Square Error, Fusion Factor, Fusion Fidelity, and Visual Information Fidelity in comparison to existing methods like Discrete Wavelet Transformation, Non-Subsampled Contourlet Transform, and Principal Component Analysis. Novelty: The novel technique presented in this paper for automated selection of pooling method provides optimal dimension reduction in both the phases of CNN, and hence allows CNN to converge faster and optimally. Keywords: Image Fusion; CNN; Machine Learning; Pooling; Medical Image Analysis

THE POSSIBILITY OF ACHIEVING AESTHETIC AND FUNCTIONAL VALUES IN THE INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE OF WARM REGIONS USING MULTI-LAYERED CURTAINS

The desire for the creativity and development in designing any product are considered of the essential and important factors in the product design process, which would enable them to have access to the competitive product. Fabrics are playing a significant role in the interior decoration of the house, and they give both harmonic atmosphere and color which gives the house its own identity. The curtain fabrics are considered one of the important upholstery fabrics , whether these curtains are used in homes, hotels, restaurants, or offices, meeting rooms, tourist villages and youth gatherings ........ etc. The functional performance of fabrics is closely related to architectural art as it is considered a mean of achieving an architectural function where it helps in building the architectural identity of the place. The beauty of curtains fabrics lies in its visual appearance as well as its functional efficiency. Curtains have played an important role in housing, particularly in warm areas, where they give it a touch of aesthetic as well as functional role through the use of multiple functions and foremost of which is thermal insulation .The search is based on studying the possibility of achieving functional and aesthetic value in modern interior architecture for multi layered curtains, in this research curtain fabrics were designed and produced of using a variety of designs and double cloque structure by adding a wadding layer of warp and weft yarns.

Mobile Phone, Computer, and Internet Use Among Older Homeless Adults: Results from the HOPE HOME Cohort Study.

BackgroundThe median age of single homeless adults is approximately 50 years. Older homeless adults have poor social support and experience a high prevalence of chronic disease, depression, and substance use disorders. Access to mobile phones and the internet could help lower the barriers to social support, social services, and medical care; however, little is known about access to and use of these by older homeless adults.ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe the access to and use of mobile phones, computers, and internet among a cohort of 350 homeless adults over the age of 50 years.MethodsWe recruited 350 participants who were homeless and older than 50 years in Oakland, California. We interviewed participants at 6-month intervals about their health status, residential history, social support, substance use, depressive symptomology, and activities of daily living (ADLs) using validated tools. We performed clinical assessments of cognitive function. During the 6-month follow-up interview, study staff administered questions about internet and mobile technology use. We assessed participants’ comfort with and use of multiple functions associated with these technologies.ResultsOf the 343 participants alive at the 6-month follow-up, 87.5% (300/343) completed the mobile phone and internet questionnaire. The median age of participants was 57.5 years (interquartile range 54-61). Of these, 74.7% (224/300) were male, and 81.0% (243/300) were black. Approximately one-fourth (24.3%, 73/300) of the participants had cognitive impairment and slightly over one-third (33.6%, 100/300) had impairments in executive function. Most (72.3%, 217/300) participants currently owned or had access to a mobile phone. Of those, most had feature phones, rather than smartphones (89, 32.1%), and did not hold annual contracts (261, 94.2%). Just over half (164, 55%) had ever accessed the internet. Participants used phones and internet to communicate with medical personnel (179, 64.6%), search for housing and employment (85, 30.7%), and to contact their families (228, 82.3%). Those who regained housing were significantly more likely to have mobile phone access (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.81, 95% CI 1.77-8.21). Those with ADL (AOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31-0.92) and executive function impairment (AOR 0.49; 95% CI 0.28-0.86) were significantly less likely to have mobile phones. Moderate to high risk amphetamine use was associated with reduced access to mobile phones (AOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10-0.72).ConclusionsOlder homeless adults could benefit from portable internet and phone access. However, participants had a lower prevalence of smartphone and internet access than adults aged over 65 years in the general public or low-income adults. Participants faced barriers to mobile phone and internet use, including financial barriers and functional and cognitive impairments. Expanding access to these basic technologies could result in improved outcomes.

Simple Yield Surface Expressions Appropriate for Soil Plasticity

The objective of this paper is to present a number of simple, practical, and useful analytical expressions of a yield surface for geomaterials. In classical plasticity, the analytical expression of a yield surface defines the locus of points in stress space at which plastic flow initiates, and the corresponding function must depend on direct and mixed invariants of stress and tensor-valued internal variables. One single function describes a yield surface in order to avoid singularities and computational difficulties arising from the use of multiple functions representing intersecting surfaces in stress space that are often used for cap-type models in soil plasticity. The presented functions are conveniently subdivided in three main categories depending on the type of analytical expression used, and they all describe properly closed yield surfaces which are continuous and convex. The internal variables in these functions can be used in order to address classical plasticity features such as isotropic and kinematic hardening, the latter in the form of rotational hardening. The effects of parameters on the shape of yield surfaces are clearly demonstrated and illustrated for all functions in triaxial stress space. The generalization of these functions to the multiaxial stress space is presented using a consistent method such that if one applies triaxial loading conditions on the multiaxial expressions, the triaxial ones are retrieved. Finally, the appropriateness of the yield functions in regards to the soil type is discussed.

The importance of prior knowledge and assessment for increasing efficiency of the learning processes, especially in ‘problem-based’ powerful learning environments

Abstract Does it help one to know how a Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 1989 looks, smells and tastes in Montpellier, when in fact one is in the process of tasting a Pichon Longueville Baron 1990 at home in a dark and humid cellar at 14 degrees? How important is prior knowledge and assessment for learning in higher education? The present paper provides a theortical background concerning activation prior knowledge, using new assessment methods and applying a new learning process model referred to as powelful learning environments. Recent research has shown that increasing efficiency in learning can be achieved by introducing powerful learning, building on the students' prior knowledge and making use of multiple functions of assessment tools. Different concepts, methods and effects are explained in the paper with regard to their use in real classrooms. A model is outlined for integrating learning, instruction and assessment. Attendants to the session in Montpellier should not only be prepared to taste a go...