Given a set of moving object trajectories, we show how to cluster them using k-means
clustering approach. Our proposed clustering algorithm is competitive with the k-means clustering
because it specifies the value of “k” based on the segment’s slope of the moving object trajectories. The
advantage of this approach is that it overcomes the known drawbacks of the k-means algorithm, namely,
the dependence on the number of clusters (k), and the dependence on the initial choice of the clusters’
centroids, and it uses segment’s slope as a heuristic to determine the different number of clusters for the
k-means algorithm. In addition, we use the standard quality measure (silhouette coefficient) in order to
measure the efficiency of our proposed approach. Finally, we present experimental results on both real
and synthetic data that show the performance and accuracy of our proposed technique.

n/a

In this paper we propose an approach for underdetermined
blind separation in the case of additive Gaussian white noise and pink
noise in addition to the most challenging case where the number of source
signals is unknown. In addition to that, the proposed approach is appli-
cable in the case of separating I +3 source signals from I mixtures with
an unknown number of source signals and the mixtures have additive two
kinds of noises. This situation is more challenging and also more suitable
to practical real world problems. Moreover, unlike to some traditional
approaches, the sparsity conditions are not imposed. Firstly, the number
of source signals is approximated and estimated using multiple source
detection, followed by an algorithm for estimating the mixing matrix
based on combining short time Fourier transform and rough-fuzzy clus-
tering. Then, the mixed signals are normalized and the source signals
are recovered using multi-layer modied Gradient descent Local Hier-
archical Alternating Least Squares Algorithm exploiting the number of
source signals estimated , and the mixing matrix obtained as an input
and initialized by multiplicative algorithm for matrix factorization based
on alpha divergence. The computer simulation results show that the pro-
posed approach can separate I + 3 source signals from I mixed signals,
and it has superior evaluation performance compared to some traditional
approaches in recent references.

Recently, extensive behavioral research has been conducted on the benztropine (BZT) analogs with the goal of developing successful therapeutics for cocaine abuse. The present study was conducted to characterize the contribution of dispositional factors in mediating the behavioral differences among the chloro BZT analogs and to identify cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in their metabolism. Bidirectional transport and efflux studies of four of the chloro BZT analogs were conducted. Screening with a panel of human and rat Supersomes was performed for 4',4''-diCl BZT. In addition, pharmacokinetic and brain distribution studies for 4'-Cl and 4',4''-diCl BZT in Sprague-Dawley rats were conducted. The permeability of the chloro analogs ranged from 8.26 to 32.23 and from 1.37 to 21.65 x 10(-6) cm/s, whereas the efflux ratios ranged from 2.1 to 6.9 and from 3.3 to 28.4 across Madin-Darby canine kidney-multidrug resistance 1 (MDCK-MDR1) and Caco-2 monolayers, respectively. The P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor verapamil reduced the efflux ratios and enhanced the absorptive transport of the chloro BZT analogs. 4',4''-diCl BZT was a substrate of human CYP2D6 and 2C19 and rat 2C11 and 3A1. The brain uptake for 4'-Cl and 4',4''-diCl BZT was comparable and higher than previously reported for cocaine (brain-to-plasma partition coefficient = 4.6-4.7 versus 2.1 for cocaine). The rank order for t(1/2) was 4',4''-diCl BZT > 4'-Cl BZT > cocaine and for steady-state volume of distribution was 4'-Cl BZT > 4',4''-diCl BZT > cocaine. In conclusion, the chloro analogs differ significantly in their clearance and duration of action, which correlates to their behavioral profiles and abuse liability. Furthermore, these results suggest that the distinctive behavioral profile of these analogs is not due to limited brain exposure.

This work discusses the physical, geochemical and mineralogical characterization of some bentonite resources in South El-Hammam area which are hosted in thick sandstone sequences belonging to the Lower Miocene Moghra Formation. Bentonite samples were characterized by microscopic, SEM, XRD and ICP-MS analyses. Bentonite resources in this study consist of montmorillonite as the main clay mineral of all the analyzed samples. Kaolinite also occurs as minor clay constituents. The identified non-clay minerals include; quartz, albite and calcite. The highest grade of the studied bentonite, contains Si/Al molecular ratio of 2, suggesting absence of detrital quartz. In contrary, the lowest grade of bentonite with alumina content of 15.06%, display Si/Al molecular ratio of 4.34, where free silica dominates over bentonite. The REE content of the Lower Miocene bentonite study area is strongly imparted by LREE signature. The very high CIA index (74.85 and 91.25) suggesting intense chemical weathering of source rock, which is supported by the presence of Ce abnormality, indicating that they were deposited under pluvial conditions.

GA2-50 is a novel N-substituted benztropine analog with improved potency and selectivity for the dopamine transporter. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of GA2-50 were characterized as a part of its preclinical evaluation as a substitute medication for cocaine abuse. In vitro transport and metabolism studies as well as pharmacokinetic studies in rats were conducted. Effect of GA2-50 on the extracelluar nucleus accumbens (NAc) dopamine levels and on cocaine's induced dopamine elevation was evaluated using intracerebral microdialysis. GA2-50 showed high transcellular permeability despite being a P-glycoprotein substrate. GA2-50 was a substrate of human CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2E1, rat CYP2C11, CYP2D1, CYP3A1, and CYP1A2; with low intrinsic clearance values. In vivo, GA2-50 showed high brain uptake (R(i) approximately 10), large volume of distribution (V(ss) = 37 L/kg), and long elimination half-life (t((1/2)) = 19 h). GA2-50 resulted in 1.6- and 2.7-fold dopamine elevation at the 5 and 10 mg/kg i.v. doses. Dopamine elevation induced by GA2-50 was significantly reduced, slower and longer lasting than previously observed for cocaine. GA2-50 had no significant effect on cocaine's induced dopamine elevation upon simultaneous administration. Results from the present study indicate that GA2-50 possesses several attributes sought after for a substitute medication for cocaine abuse.