Chest X-ray enhancement to interpret pneumonia malformation based on fuzzy soft set and Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence

Image enhancement algorithms are commonly used to increase the contrast and visual quality of low-dose x-ray images. This paper proposes an automated enhancement method using soft fuzzy sets with a new decision-making scheme based on Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence for the visual interpretation of pneumonia malformation in low-dose x-ray images, called as XEFSDS. The XEFSDS model first generates an original source x-ray image into a complementary image, then each original and complement image is applied to the characterized image object and background areas of fuzzy space. The S-function is utilized to define fuzzy soft sets for the classification of gray level ambiguity in both images, and hence a decision criterion via Dempster-Shafer approach and fuzzy interval has been adapted to discriminate uncertainties on the pixel intensity and the spatial information. Modified membership grade operations have been performed on each object/background area, and Werner’s AND/OR operator (an aggregation operator) has been utilized to build a new membership function from two modified membership functions. Finally, an enhanced image is obtained from the new membership function via defuzzification. Experiments on different pneumonia X-ray images demonstrate that the XEFSDS scheme produces better results than the existing methods. To show the advantages of the XEFSDS scheme, we have executed a segmentation based examination on enhanced image for the detection of pneumonia malformation as well as abnormal lobe (lobar pneumonia) or bronchopneumonia.     

Mechanism of methanol decomposition on the Pd/WC(0001) surface unveiled by first-principles calculations

In this study, the decomposition of methanol into the CO and H species on the Pd/tungsten carbide (WC)(0001) surface is systematically investigated using periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The possible reaction pathways and intermediates are determined. The results reveal that saturated molecules, i.e., methanol and formaldehyde, adsorb weakly on the Pd/ WC(0001) surface. Both CO and H prefer three-fold sites, with adsorption energies of −1.51 and −2.67 eV, respectively. On the other hand, CH₃O stably binds at three-fold and bridge sites, with an adsorption energy of −2.58 eV. However, most of the other intermediates tend to adsorb to the surface with the carbon and oxygen atoms in their sp³ and hydroxyl-like configurations, respectively. Hence, the C atom of CH₂OH preferentially attaches to the top sites, CHOH and CH₂O adsorb at the bridge sites, while COH and CHO occupy the three-fold sites. The DFT calculations indicate that the rupture of the initial C–H bond promotes the decomposition of CH₃OH and CH₂OH, whereas in the case of CHOH, O–H bond scission is favored over the C–H bond rupture. Thus, the most probable methanol decomposition pathway on the Pd/WC(0001) surface is CH₃OH → CH₂OH → trans-CHOH → CHO → CO. The present study demonstrates that the synergistic effect of WC (as carrier) and Pd (as catalyst) alters the CH₃OH decomposition pathway and reduces the noble metal utilization.     

On keys' meanings and modes: the impact of different key solutions on children's efficiency using a mobile phone

The present study investigates the impact of different key solutions of mobile phones on users' effectiveness and efficiency using the devices. In the first experiment, 36 children (9 - 14 years) and in the second experiment 45 young adults (19 - 33 years) completed four common phone tasks twice consecutively on three simulated phones that had identical menus, but different key solutions. An approach was undertaken to quantify the complexity of keys in three models, incorporating different factors contributing to the keys' complexity (number of key options, number of modes and number of modes with a semantically dissimilar meaning), in order to predict users' performance decrements. As a further main factor, the degree of the users' locus of control (LOC) was measured and interactions with performance outcomes were studied. As dependent measures, the number of inefficient keystrokes, the number of tasks solved and the processing time were determined. Results showed a significant effect of control key solutions on users' efficiency and effectiveness for both children and young adults. Moreover, children's LOC values significantly interacted with performance: children with low LOC values showed the lowest performance and no learnability, especially when using keys with a high complexity. From the three factors contributing to the complexity of keys, keys exerting different functions with semantically inconsistent meanings had the worst effect on performance. It is concluded that in mobile user interface design keys with semantically inconsistent meanings should be generally avoided.     

A model for semiconductor quantum dot molecule based on the current spin density functional theory

Based on the current spin density functional theory, a theoretical model of three vertically aligned semiconductor quantum dots is proposed and numerically studied. This quantum dot molecule (QDM) model is treated with realistic hard-wall confinement potential and external magnetic field in three-dimensional setting. Using the effective-mass approximation with band nonparabolicity, the many-body Hamiltonian results in a cubic eigenvalue problem from a finite difference discretization. A self-consistent algorithm for solving the Schrödinger-Poisson system by using the Jacobi-Davidson method and GMRES is given to illustrate the Kohn-Sham orbitals and energies of six electrons in the molecule with some magnetic fields. It is shown that the six electrons residing in the central dot at zero magnetic field can be changed to such that each dot contains two electrons with some feasible magnetic field. The Förster-Dexter resonant energy transfer may therefore be generated by two individual QDMs. This may motivate a new paradigm of Fermionic qubits for quantum computing in solid-state systems.     

亚波长光栅用于实现宽光谱消色散1/4波片的研究

基于严格耦合波理论 ,分析了共振区域矩形位相光栅的衍射特性 :位相延迟与光栅周期、占空比、槽深的关系 ,并设计出在 40 0～ 80 0nm范围内的消色散 1/4波片光栅 ,可以实现较为平坦的衍射效率和位相延迟曲线 ,其中位相延迟可保持在 90°左右 ,最大偏差小于 9% ,达到甚至优于普通二元复合消色散波片。通过对加工及安装误差的讨论 ,得到了影响消色散波片光栅性能的主要加工误差是槽深误差和占空比误差。     

架起试井理论和应用间的桥梁

分析指出试井理论和应用之间存在的问题，提出构架试井理论和应用之间桥梁的基础，明确构架桥梁的方法和手段。根据目前国内外试井理论和应用的发展状况，指出试井理论和试井分析方法应用的发展趋势。     

高分辨率阵列感应测井仪在河南油田的应用

文章介绍了美国Baker-Atlas公司研制生产的高分辨率阵列感应成像测井仪（HDIL）,简述了该仪器的工作原理和技术性能指标及主要应用范围,并介绍了高分辨率阵列感应测井（HDIL）资料在河南南阳油田的具体应用实例.     

灰色预测模型在油气操作成本预测中的应用

油气操作成本是油气田生产消耗的主要项目，为了有效地控制油气操作成本，必须制定准确的油气操作成本计划。而油气操作成本在我国是最近几年才提出来的，数据项比较少，给油气操作成本预测带来一定的难度。为此，文章根据灰色预测的基本原理，采用灰色系统理论进行油气操作成本预测，就可以弥补对预测所需的数据少，而且也无须剔除不可比因素，只要所建模型能满足精度要求，预测结果就可以信赖。     

天然气产业链下游市场风险评价模型探讨

随着我国天然气主干管网的逐步形成，天然气产业链下游市场正在进入快速成长阶段，建立风险预警系统的重要性开始显现，而风险评价模型是其基础工作之一。文章在天然气产业链下游区域市场风险评价指标体系的基础上，综合运用层次分析法和灰色系统理论，建立了对天然气产业链下游区域市场风险评价的模型，并以各区域市场的用气量占全国总用气量的比重为权重，建立起完整的市场风险评价模型，可为评价天然气产业链下游市场整体市场风险时参考。     

隐秘通信系统的对策论模型

运用对策论方法，构造了隐秘通信系统的对策论模型，研究了信息隐藏者采用最优策略，在现有的隐秘通信技术条件下，能够更好地达到自己的预期目标。