1613 research outputs found
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Emotion Classification based on Expressions and Body Language using Convolutional Neural Networks
Get PDFRecognizing human emotions based on a person\u27s body language is a complex neurological process that humans often take for granted. The visual pathway that propagates from the eye to the occipital lobe, breaking down images from basic features and building upon the previous layer, can be replicated in a computer using artificially intelligent algorithms in the field of computer vision using convolutional neural networks (CNN). The neural network, just like in the brain, models the interaction between neurons, with each neuron being represented by a mathematical function called a perceptron. Real-world images of humans in varying environments displaying emotion through variations in expression, body language, colorings, and features are manually labeled and used to train the CNN. This allows the algorithm to pick out features that occur in pictures of each emotion that will intelligently aid in relating body language, expressions and poses to an emotion, even if this relation is not defined previously. The accuracy of the classification is then analyzed by reviewing what features were extracted from the images and the network is retrained accordingly to output even more accurate results
Teaching Altruism Through the Novel
No full textThe novel is an excellent vehicle for teaching altruism. Teaching values like altruism has long been a contentious topic in education; some educators tend too far toward moral indoctrination while others do not even broach the topic of morality. I argue that the novel could provide a middle ground in values education by actively presenting multiple perspectives on a moral issue like altruism and allowing students to draw their own conclusions. I investigate the novel’s potential for teaching altruism by looking in detail at four famous nineteenth-century examples: Jane Austen’s Emma, Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, George Eliot’s Adam Bede, and Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables
Synthesis and Characterization of Xanthocerin A and Novel Congeners
No full textThe goal of this project was to synthesize xanthocercin A - a naturally occurring isoflavone. This molecule was isolated at the Chicago Botanical Center (University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy) in a mixture with other chemical compounds from leadplant, Amorpha canescens, a plant used by Native American females for its proposed anti-estrogenic, anti-inflammatory activities during menopause. Due to the lack of material and difficulty in purification from natural resources, more material was required to confirm the structure of the compound. Toward this end, we prepared a synthetic sample of xanthocercin A in six total steps from commercially available material. The key step of the synthesis utilized a silver mediated oxidative coupling which produced a compound identical to the isolated material, thus verifying the chemical structure. Current studies are directed towards the synthesis of novel naturally-occuring xanthocercin compounds
Modeling Catalytic Reactions: Hydroformylation
No full textThe catalytic hydroformylation reaction is of importance to the pharmaceutical industry. The reaction involves the transformation of alkenes into aldehydes which are often important reactants for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. We use computer modeling to gain a molecular-level understanding of the steps involved in the complicated catalytic cycle. This understanding will lead to the ability to fine tune the synthesis to make the desired product in high yield and high purity. Results of the investigation of a new catalyst system to facilitate a selective synthesis of the desired isomer will be reported
Decision-Making during Times of Crisis
No full textDespite vast research on political behavior after the occurrence of a crisis, little is known about the changes in politician’s’ behavior during the crisis. Research shows that polarization and extremism are typical aftermaths of a crisis, but is this polarization reflected in the behavior of politicians during a crisis? This paper explores the changes in the behavior of those serving in the US House of Representatives following the events of September 11, 2001. Prospect theory suggests that representatives become more risk seeking during a time of crisis and are therefore more likely to vote differently than their party. This is confirmed through regression analyses that show representatives were less likely to vote along party lines in the nine months preceding the attacks. Bipartisan support for legislation however did not increase, indicating that individual behavior was influenced to a greater extent than party behavior
Long Term Abundance and Diversity Patterns of Arthropods on Urban Green Rooftops
No full textA green, or “living” roof is one that is at least partially covered with vegetation and a growing medium. Relatively few studies have investigated patterns of arthropod diversity on these rooftops over extended time periods. My research intends to fill that gap in knowledge by showing how the arthropod community on eight urban green rooftops varies in abundance and diversity over a four year timespan. I predict that these arthropods will mimic island colonizers; highly mobile groups of arthropods such as spiders should have higher abundance and diversity than low-mobility groups like springtails
The Black Panther Party: Trailblazers in Environmental Justice
No full textHistorically and contemporarily, the Black Panther Party remains controversial and misinterpreted. Often associated with militancy, violence and resistance; the Black Panthers are left uncredited for their progressivism and leadership within African American communities. The Black Panthers were trailblazers in an era of violence, division, poverty and social movements. The young environmentalist movements of the 1960s/1970s lacked black involvement and excluded the most vulnerable to environmental hazards. The Black Panthers were early advocates of environmental justice in Black communities and initiated many social programs and policies that sought to better living-standards as a means of self-determination, self-defense and self-love