Pattern recognition, wherein a sequence of feature vectors is formed from a digitized incoming signal, the feature vectors comprising feature vector components, and at least one feature vector is compared with templates of candidate patterns by computing a distortion measure. The crankshaft includes a front crankpin, a rear crankpin, and one or more central crankpins. The catalyst comprises from about 25 wt % to about 98 wt % alumina, from about 0.