A two-level strategy for segmenting center of interest from pictures

Segmenting center of interests (COIs) from pictures is an important but highly challenging problem for researchers in computer vision and image processing. The capability of understanding the meanings of pictures by computers can lead to breakthroughs in a wide range of applications including Web image search and online picture-sharing communities. In this paper, a two-level strategy is presented, which consists of a rough segmentation stage and a fine segmentation stage. In the first level, a picture is partitioned into four regions by using a block clustering method based on color and texture features, and the COI within the picture is distinguished from the background according to the principles of photographic composition. This stage aims to determine the approximate region of the target. In the second level, a novel active contour model is established based on shape information and vector method, where the image energy is defined by a hue gradient and the external energy is generated from either a triangular inner force or a supplementary force. This stage tries to extract the boundary of the target accurately. Experimental results on photos downloaded from the Internet show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.     

A belief-rule-based inventory control method under nonstationary and uncertain demand

This paper is devoted to investigating inventory control problems under nonstationary and uncertain demand. A belief-rule-based inventory control (BRB-IC) method is developed, which can be applied in situations where demand and demand-forecast-error (DFE) do not follow certain stochastic distribution and forecasting demand is given in single-point or interval styles. The method can assist decision-making through a belief-rule structure that can be constructed, initialized and adjusted using both manager’s knowledge and operational data. An extended optimal base stock (EOBS) policy is proved for initializing the belief-rule-base (BRB), and a BRB-IC inference approach with interval inputs is proposed. A numerical example and a case study are examined to demonstrate potential applications of the BRB-IC method. These studies show that the belief-rule-based expert system is flexible and valid for inventory control. The case study also shows that the BRB-IC method can compensate DFE by training BRB using historical demand data for generating reliable ordering policy.     

A dispatching method for automated lifting vehicles in automated port container terminals

In automated container terminals, containers are transported from the marshalling yard to a ship and vice versa by automated vehicles. The automated vehicle type studied in this paper is an automated lifting vehicle (ALV) that is capable of lifting a container from the ground by itself. This study discusses how to dispatch ALVs by utilizing information about pickup and delivery locations and time in future delivery tasks. A mixed-integer programming model is provided for assigning optimal delivery tasks to ALVs. A procedure for converting buffer constraints into time window constraints and a heuristic algorithm for overcoming the excessive computational time required for solving the mathematical model are suggested. Numerical experiments are reported to compare the objective values and computational times by a heuristic algorithm with those by an optimizing method and to analyze the effects of dual cycle operation, number of ALVs, and buffer capacity on the performance of ALVs.     

中国纺织业技术选择的宏观透视

在中国二元经济结构的背景之下,从理论上探讨了纺织业优化要素配置的技术选择路径,通过对1985—2005年中国纺织业要素产出效率的实证分析,考察了．人均资本产出的演变轨迹,并从优化要素配置的角度提出了中国纺织业未来产业结构调整和技术进步的政策建议。     

Environmental Kuznets curve for CO2 emissions: The case of Arctic countries

The main new contribution of this paper is to examine the Environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis using time series data at individual country levels. Empirical focus is on the assessment of income per capita on CO₂ emissions in the Arctic countries by taking into account the role of energy consumption. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) modeling approach to cointegration is applied to annual data for the period 1960–2010. The results provide little evidence of the existence of the EKC hypothesis for the Arctic countries. We also find that economic growth has a beneficial effect on the environment only in some Arctic countries. Finally, energy consumption is found to have a detrimental effect on the environment in most countries.     

Performance review of a novel combined thermoelectric power generation and water desalination system

A novel combined thermoelectric power generation and water desalination system is described with a system schematic. The proposed system utilises low grade thermal energy to heat thermoelectric generators for power generation and water desalination. A theoretical analysis presents the governing equations to estimate the systems performance characteristics combined with experimental validation. Experimental set-up consists of an electric heat source, thermoelectric modules, heat pipes, a heat sink and an evaporator vessel. Four heat pipes are embedded in a heat spreader block to passively cool the bottom side of the thermoelectric cells. The condenser of these four heat pipes is immersed in a pool of saline water stored in an evaporation vessel which is maintained at sub-atmospheric pressure. The liquid to vapour phase change cooling method achieve low saturation temperature and offers a high heat transfer coefficient for the cooling of the thermoelectric generators. At the same time this method utilises the low temperature heat extracted from the cold side of the thermoelectric generator for water desalination. It was observed that at low saturation temperatures greater heat flux could be supplied to the thermoelectric generators with less heat losses to the atmosphere.     

Acceptance of biomass plants – Results of a longitudinal study in the bioenergy-region Altmark

The present contribution addresses the results of a longitudinal study in a ‘bioenergy-region’ concerning the public acceptance of biomass plants and the corresponding influencing factors. Using a standardized questionnaire, 423 persons were polled between 2009 and 2011 on three points of measurement in four places in the bioenergy-region Altmark. One main result of the study is that the reported public acceptance remains constantly high over time; nevertheless it became evident that the respective influencing factors differ in their strength, whereas the perceived regional benefit shows a strong connection to the reported public acceptance of biomass plants at each point of measurement. Concluding the research results, the acceptance of biomass plants doesn't seem to be a fixed construct, but has to be seen in context of the respective experiences with plants on a local level over time.In addition to the local population, key actors of the regional biomass sector were also interviewed (N = 26). The analyses show significant differences in the perception and evaluation of the current informational level between the population and the key actors. Furthermore, the key actors estimated the utilisation of biomass even more positively and expected a greater ‘signal function’ of the bioenergy-region-project compared to the population.