Adaptive moving shadow detection and removal by new semi-supervised learning technique

The efficient application of current methods of shadow detection in video is hindered by the difficulty in defining their parameters or models and/or their application domain dependence. This paper presents a new shadow detection and removal method that aims to overcome these inefficiencies. It proposes a semi-supervised learning rule using a new variant of co-training technique for shadow detection and removal in uncontrolled scenes. The new variant both reduces the run-time through a periodical execution of a co-training process according to a novel temporal framework, and generates a more generic prediction model for an accurate classification. The efficiency of the proposed method is shown experimentally on a testbed of videos that were recorded by a static camera and that included several constraints, e.g., dynamic changes in the natural scene and various visual shadow features. The conducted experimental study produced quantitative and qualitative results that highlighted the robustness of our shadow detection method and its accuracy in removing cast shadows. In addition, the practical usefulness of the proposed method was evaluated by integrating it in a Highway Control and Management System software called RoadGuard.     

On line background modeling for moving object segmentation in dynamic scenes

Fast and accurate moving object segmentation in dynamic scenes is the first step in many computer vision applications. In this paper, we propose a new background modeling method for moving object segmentation based on dynamic matrix and spatio-temporal analyses of scenes. Our method copes with some challenges related to this field. A new algorithm is proposed to detect and remove cast shadow. A comparative study by quantitative evaluations shows that the proposed approach can detect foreground robustly and accurately from videos recorded by a static camera and which include several constraints. A Highway Control and Management System called RoadGuard is proposed to show the robustness of our method. In fact, our system has the ability to control highway by detecting strange events that can happen like vehicles suddenly stopped in roads, parked vehicles in emergency zones or even illegal conduct such as going out from the road. Moreover, RoadGuard is capable of managing highways by saving information about the date and time of overloaded roads.     

A new approach of data clustering using a flock of agents

This paper presents a new bio-inspired algorithm (FClust) that dynamically creates and visualizes groups of data. This algorithm uses the concepts of a flock of agents that move together in a complex manner with simple local rules. Each agent represents one data. The agents move together in a 2D environment with the aim of creating homogeneous groups of data. These groups are visualized in real time, and help the domain expert to understand the underlying structure of the data set, like for example a realistic number of classes, clusters of similar data, isolated data. We also present several extensions of this algorithm, which reduce its computational cost, and make use of a 3D display. This algorithm is then tested on artificial and real-world data, and a heuristic algorithm is used to evaluate the relevance of the obtained partitioning.     

Thymoquinone effects on DMH-induced erythrocyte oxidative stress and haematological alterations during colon cancer promotion in rats

The effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the abundant component of black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) oil extract, was evaluated on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced erythrocyte oxidative stress and haematological perturbations during colon cancer promotion in rats. Two TQ approaches, the pre- and post-treatment, were used. DMH promoted erythrocyte oxidative damage in rats by enhancing lipid peroxidation (30%) and decreasing antioxidant enzymes activities (20–35%). This was associated with the decline of erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit (20%) and the count increase of white blood cell (60%) and platelet (180%). TQ pre-treatment repaired DMH-induced erythrocyte oxidative stress, anaemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis and allowed a 60% of tumour incidence decline. TQ post-treatment exerted a slight effect on erythrocyte oxidative stress and reduced colon cancer incidence by 30% only. Thus, TQ efficacy in preventing DMH-induced colon cancer promotion was related to its virtue antioxidant effect on erythrocyte oxidative stress.     

Chemical composition,antimicrobial potential against cariogenic bacteria and cytotoxic activity of Tunisian Nigella sativa essential oil and thymoquinone

We investigate in this work the chemical composition by GC–EIMS, the antibacterial and the cytotoxic activities of Tunisian Nigella sativa essential oil and its bioactive compound, thymoquinone, were tested against various clinical cariogenic bacteria (n = 30). Eighty-four compounds were identified in the essential oil. The major one was p-cymene (49.48%) whereas thymoquinone represented only 0.79%. The essential oil (2.43 mg/disc) containing only 3.35 μg of thymoquinone showed pronounced dose dependant antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus constellatus and Gemella haemolysans (15.5 ± 0.707 mm). However, pure thymoquinone compound (150 μg/disk) was active against all the studied strains especially S. mutans and S. mitis (24.5 ± 0.71 and 22 ± 1.41 mm inhibition zones, respectively).     

On the Stability of a Degenerate Wave Equation Under Fractional Feedbacks Acting on the Degenerate Boundary

Journal of Dynamical and Control Systems - In this work, we are concerned with the study of stabilization of one-dimensional weakly degenerate wave equation utt ? (xγux)x = 0 with x...     

A model-driven development approach for context-aware systems

The widespread usage of various types of computer devices with different platform characteristics created a need for new methods and tools to support the development of context-aware applications capable of dynamically adapting themselves to context changes. In this paper, we present a new model-based approach that addresses the development of context-aware applications from both the theoretical and practical perspectives and that supports all development phases of context-aware systems. On the one hand, we describe how our approach is applied to dynamically capture, observe the change of the context and notify the system at runtime. On the other hand, we show how our approach is used by programmers to develop a context- aware application.     

新型相变材料换热器热能储存与释放特性

研究了一种新型相变材料换热器,在其进出口的相应温度测试点布置铜镍合金热电偶,然后分别以不同的流速通入温度各为40℃、16—17℃的热、冷空气流,利用温度测试系统连续测出各测点的温度值。理论分析和实验研究结果验证了该换热器具有良好的热能储存与释放特性:当气流的质量流速分别为0.132,0.096 kg/s时,若相变材料的平均初始温度为17.4,17.7℃时,经过910,1 030 min后该换热器热能储存量各为21 056.67,21 014.34 kJ;在放热过程中,该换热器出口的气流温度维持在20℃以上的时间各为594,717 m in。它可用于温室、暖房、空调或工业生产中各种低温热能的回收和利用。     

Cellular uptake and cytotoxic impact of chemically functionalized and polymer-coated carbon nanotubes

The impact of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes on biological matter is a topic of increasing interest and concern and requires a multifaceted approach to be resolved. A modified cytotoxic (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) assay is developed in an attempt to offer a valid and reliable methodology for screening carbon nanotube toxicity in vitro. Two of the most widely used types of surface-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are tested: ammonium-functionalized MWNTs (MWNT-NH3+ ) and Pluronic F127 coated MWNTs (MWNT:F127). Chemically functionalized MWNTs show significantly greater cellular uptake into lung epithelial A549 cells compared to the non-covalently Pluronic F127-coated MWNTs. In spite of this, MWNT:F127 exhibit enhanced cytotoxicity according to the modified LDH assay. The validity of the modified LDH assay is further validated by direct comparison with other less reliable or accurate cytotoxicity assays. These findings indicate the reliability of the modified LDH assay as a screening tool to assess carbon nanotube cytotoxicity and illustrate that high levels of carbon nanotube cellular internalization do not necessarily lead to adverse responses.