A non-invasive learning branch to capture leaf-image attention for tree species classification

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Tree species classification is a necessary and challenging task for both multimedia technique and forestry engineering. Continuous developments in multimedia and...     

Failure Prediction of Municipal Water Pipes Using Machine Learning Algorithms

Pipe failure prediction has become a crucial demand of operators in daily operation and asset management due to the increase in operation risks of water distribution networks. In this paper, two machine learning algorithms, namely, random forest (RF) and logistic regression (LR) algorithms are employed for pipe failure prediction. RF algorithm consists of a group of decision trees that predicts pipe failure independently and makes the final decision by voting together. For the LR algorithm, the mapping relationship between existing data and decision variables is expressed by the logistic function. Then, the prediction is made by comparing the conditional probability with the fixed threshold value. The proposed algorithms are illustrated using an actual water distribution network in China. Results indicate that the RF algorithm performs better than the LR algorithm in terms of accuracy, recall, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The effects of seven characteristics on pipe failures are analyzed, and diameter and length are identified as the top two influential factors.

Graphical Abstract

     

我国3～12岁儿童家长食品安全知识现状及其影响因素分析

了解我国儿童家长的家庭食品安全知识知晓情况及其影响因素，对开展精准食品安全宣教，减少家庭食源性疾病具有积极意义。本研究在7个城市的13 923名3～12岁儿童家长中开展问卷调查，收集基本信息、家庭食品安全知识知晓情况及需求。家长家庭食品安全知识平均得分为18.6分(总分29分)，及格率为68.7%。易错知识点包括熟食室温存储时间、食品保质期、易引起中毒的食物以及食品贮存环境等。多因素logistics回归分析显示:家长家庭食品安全知识及格率受地区、文化程度、职业、家长类型、是否关注食品安全、孩子是否讲过食品安全知识以及是否阅读孩子带回来资料的影响。家长最关心的前三位内容为滥用食品添加剂(84.9%)、卫生状况不合格(82.9%)、农药/药物残留(82.7%)。受家长信任的信息来源主要为电视/广播/广告(76.1%)、书籍/报纸/期刊(70.4%)、微博/微信等新媒体(57.7%)。家长的家庭食品安全知识仍存在短板，需利用传统媒体和新媒体结合的方式以及小手牵大手形式开展精准专题宣传，并特别关注文化程度低，从事食品行业的家长以及孩子父亲和保姆。     

低压静电场辅助冷冻对竹笋品质的影响

为研究低压静电场辅助冷冻对竹笋冻结特性的影响，以冻结曲线、硬度、水分损失率、水分迁移、冰晶形态和组织微观结构为指标，探究低压静电场辅助冷冻（－35 ℃）和普通冷冻（－35 ℃）条件下竹笋品质的变化规律。结果表明：低压静电场辅助冷冻提高了冻结效率，改变了冰晶形态及分布，减轻了组织微观结构破损程度，改善了解冻汁液流失情况。与静电板间距10、20、30、40 cm处的冷冻竹笋解冻后水分损失率分别为14.16%、12.58%、9.73%、10.44%，显著低于对照组（21.01%）（P＜0.05），硬度分别为461.19、507.48、496.65 g和455.31 g，显著高于对照组（350.70 g）（P＜0.05）。低场核磁共振分析结果表明，在低压静电场辅助冷冻下竹笋解冻后汁液流失减少，扫描电子显微镜观察结果显示，竹笋纤维排列整齐，组织微观结构保持较好。低压静电场辅助冷冻可有效改善竹笋品质，可为利用低压静电场进行果蔬的冷冻贮藏和冷链运输提供参考。     

Efficiency evaluation of healthcare services in China based on stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis and directional distance function

Evaluating the efficiency of healthcare services accurately can help in analyzing the rationality of inputs and outputs in such services. Considering the consistency and equity of assessment criteria, this study conducts the stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis (SMAA-2) with a directional distance function to evaluate the efficiency of healthcare services in 31 provincial administrative regions of mainland China, as observed in 2018. We use SMAA-DDF to explore all the projection directions to the efficient frontier instead of a certain projection direction. We measure the maximum and average efficiencies for each of the 31 provincial healthcare services. Our empirical findings show that only seven provinces achieve optimal healthcare service efficiency; the eastern area performed the best, followed by the central, western, and northeast areas. Furthermore, the path along the projection directions is provided to help inefficient provinces improve their efficiency and obtain the best possible positions.     

安卓平台上的医用图像信息采集系统的开发设计

为了探讨在安卓平台上构建医用图像采集系统的开发个案,分析通过以智能手机、平板电脑为核心安卓设备通过拍照获得化验单数据后进行文本识别并提交智慧医疗系统的解决方案。本文首先通过二值化算法形成低阈值图像数据,使用卷积神经元网络算法对文本进行逐一识别,使用K-means算法对识别后的单字文本进行字段记录值的整合并形成元数据库服务于其他智慧医疗系统模块。在使用9000组数据对神经元网络进行前期训练的前提下,该系统的识别准确率达到了99.5%以上。本系统具有一定的可行性,对未来智慧医疗的系统开发有实践意义。     

Fabrication of barium titanate ceramics via digital light processing 3D printing by using high refractive index monomer

A digital light processing (DLP) technology has been developed for 3D printing lead-free barium titanate (BTO) piezoelectric ceramics. By comparing the curing and rheological properties of slurries with different photosensitive monomer, a high refractive index monomer acryloyl morpholine (ACMO) was chosen, and a design and preparation method of BTO slurry with high solid content, low viscosity and high curing ability was proposed. By further selecting the printing parameters, the single-layer exposure time was reduced and the forming efficiency has been greatly improved. Sintered specimens were obtained after a nitrogen-air double-step debinding and furnace sintering process, and the BTO ceramics fabricated with 80 wt% slurry shows the highest relative density (95.32 %) and piezoelectric constant (168.1 pC/N). Furthermore, complex-structured BTO ceramics were prepared, impregnated by epoxy resin and finally assembly made into hydrophones, which has significance for the future design and manufacture of piezoelectric ceramic-based composites that used in functional devices.     

Effect of MoS2/PTFE coatings on performance of Si3N4/TiC ceramics in dry sliding against WC/Co

To enhance the tribological performance of Si₃N₄/TiC ceramics, MoS₂/PTFE composite coatings were deposited on the ceramic substrate through spraying method. The micrographs and basic properties of the MoS₂/PTFE coated samples were investigated. Dry sliding friction experiments against WC/Co ball were performed with the coated ceramics and traditional ones. These results showed that the composite coatings could significantly reduce the friction coefficient of ceramics, and protect the substrate from adhesion wear. The primary tribological mechanisms of the coated ceramics were abrasive wear, coating spalling and delamination, and the tribological property was transited from slight wear to serious wear with the increase of load because of the lower surface hardness and shear strength. The possible mechanisms for the effects of MoS₂/PTFE composite coatings on the friction performance of ceramics were discussed.