Object Repositioning Based on the Perspective in a Single Image

We propose an image editing system for repositioning objects in a single image based on the perspective of the scene. In our system, an input image is transformed into a layer structure that is composed of object layers and a background layer, and then the scene depth is computed from the ground region that is specified by the user using a simple boundary line. The object size and order of overlapping are automatically determined during the reposition based on the scene depth. In addition, our system enables the user to move shadows along with objects naturally by extracting the shadow mattes using only a few user‐specified scribbles. Finally, we demonstrate the versatility of our system through applications to depth‐of‐field effects, fog synthesis and 3D walkthrough in an image.     

Complementary cellophane optic gate and its use for a 3D iPad without glasses

A complementary cellophane optic gate was fabricated using a birefringent cellophane sheet. Previous versions of the optic gate required the retardance of the cellophane to be as close to 180° as possible throughout the entire visible wavelength range, which meant it was often difficult to find a cellophane sheet with the right thickness and dispersion characteristics to meet this requirement. The complementary optic gate reported in this paper has no restriction on the thickness, composition, or wavelength range of the cellophane sheet except that the cellophane must have some birefringence. Even with an arbitrary retardance, an extinction ratio of 5 × 10(-3) was achieved at λ = 0.63 μm. The optic gate was used to convert an iPad into a 3D display without the need for the observer to wear glasses. The high extinction ratio of the optic gate resulted in a 3D display of supreme quality.     

Current waveform distortion of doubly‐fed generator for wind turbine application by spatial higher harmonics

This paper describes a method to analyze higher harmonic currents resulting from higher space harmonics, depending on the winding pattern of a doubly‐fed generator. A 1.5‐MW generator was used for the analysis, and the results are compared using finite element magnetic field analysis and measurements. The result revealed that the proposed analysis, which focuses on the winding pattern and takes into account higher space harmonics, allows us to calculate higher harmonic currents at high precision, understand the mechanism of changing higher harmonic currents due to the slip or the load of the generator and considerably reduce higher harmonic currents at the armature by restricting higher harmonic currents at the magnetic field. In addition, the sensitivity analysis of design parameters clarified the relationship between current distortion and basic characteristics on electric designs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(2): 79–85, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20606     

Fabrication of new type field effect transistors using charge transfer complex layers

We fabricated field effect transistors (FETs) using door (TTF, TMTSF) and acceptor (TCNQ) molecules, and we investigated the change of conductivity in the charge transfer (CT) complex layer by applying gate voltages. Several types of FETs having TTF/TCNQ and TMTSF/TCNQ layered structures were examined. The stacked‐layer FET showed a large transconductance compared with a single‐layer FET. The experimental results demonstrate that the CT complex layer formed between donor and acceptor films mainly works as a conduction channel. Furthermore, the change in the degree of charge transfer corresponding to conductivity change was confirmed by infrared absorption spectra. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 134(1): 10–16, 2001     

Electrode reaction of the Np3+/Np couple in LiCl–KCl eutectic melts

The electrochemical behaviour of the Np³⁺/Np couple in the LiCl–KCl eutectic salt was investigated by electromotive force measurements, cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry in the temperature region between 723 and 823 K. The standard redox potential of the Np³⁺/Np couple vs Ag/AgCl (1.00 wt %) was measured and given by the equation, E _Np ³⁺ _/Np ^° = –2.0298 + 0.000706 T, where E is in V and T in K. The electrode reaction of the Np³⁺/Np couple was almost reversible under the conditions studied. The diffusion coefficient of Np³⁺, D _Np ³⁺, in the LiCl–KCl eutectic melts between 723 and 823 K was represented by the equation, D _Np ³⁺ = 2.22 × 10^–6 – 6.88 × 10^–9 T + 5.60 × 10^–12 T ² cm² s^–1. The adsorption and desorption peaks of Np at the Mo working electrode caused by underpotential deposition were also observed in the cyclic voltammograms, and the work function of Np was evaluated as 3.04 eV by peak analysis of the cyclic voltammograms.     

Vagal preganglionic neurons innervating the different gastric regions in the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

The cytoarchitecture and distribution patterns of the vagal preganglionic neurons within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMNX) innervating the proventriculus and the gizzard of the Japanese quail were examined by Nissl staining and the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. A 30% solution of HRP was injected into nine different gastric regions: the ventral and dorsal parts of the proventriculus, the caudodorsal and cranioventral thick muscles, the craniodorsal and caudoventral thin muscles, and the pylorus, and the ventral and dorsal tendons of the gizzard. Nissl preparations showed that the DMNX is composed of two cell groups, the dorsal magnocellular and mediocellular subnucleus (Xd) and the ventral parvicellular subnucleus (Xv). After injection of HRP into the ventral and dorsal parts of the proventriculus, HRP-labeled cells were predominantly observed in the left and right DMNX, respectively. The rostrocaudal distribution patterns of HRP-labeled cells in the Xd and Xv were symmetric on the left and right sides. The distribution patterns of labeled cells following the injection of HRP into each region of the gizzard showed that there was very little difference in the number of neurons between the left and right DMNX, and no topographic localization was found in the Xd and Xv. The vagal preganglionic neurons projecting to the gizzard lay more caudal than the ones for the proventriculus. This study suggested topographic localization in the distribution patterns of the vagal preganglionic neurons innervating the proventriculus and the gizzard.     

Carbon nanowire formation in electron-energy controlled plasma produced by CH4/Ar rf discharges with small coaxial electrodes

Carbon nanowires are formed on a surface of nanoparticles made of diamond-like carbon produced on a nickel plate placed in CH₄–Ar plasma. The dissociation of CH₄ is controlled by changing the mixing position of CH₄ along the Ar plasma produced in a small coaxial tube electrode. When CH₄ is introduced in low electron temperature T_e region, we observed an appearance of nanowires on the surface of microparticles. On the other hand, carbon nanowalls and/or nanoplatelets are formed when the CH₄ is mixed in the high T_e region.     

Fabrication of Langmuir-Blodgett films using amphiphilic peptides

To introduce self-organization ability of transmembrane proteins into Langmuir (L) and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) techniques, we focused on "amphiphilic peptide" (AP) which is composed of two distinct hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. Three types of APs of different average hydropathies were used to prepare the AP/lipid mixed L and LB films. According to the circular dichroism spectra, the secondary structures of APs were not uniform but were a mixture of alpha-helix, beta-strand and random coil. The fraction of alpha-helix was higher for lower hydropathy AP. The interaction between AP and lipid in the L film and the structure of the LB film were also depended on the APs used.     

A study of generator system selection for large wind turbine generator system

This paper focuses on selection of wind turbine generation systems that include generators, converters, and gears. We study three systems: a permanent magnet generator (PMG) system, a doubly‐fed generator (DFG) system, and a synchronous generator (SYG) system in terms of the system efficiencies and running costs. The system efficiencies and running costs are calculated by considering the relationship between wind power and wind conditions. According to these results, the one‐step gear PMG system is the best choice for a large wind turbine system. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 161(1): 51–57, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20506