O(N3 log N) backprojection algorithm for the 3-D radon transform

We present a novel backprojection algorithm for three-dimensional (3-D) radon transform data that requires O(N3 log2 N) operations for reconstruction of an N x N x N volume from O(N2) plane-integral projections. Our algorithm uses a hierarchical decomposition of the 3-D radon transform to recursively decompose the backprojection operation. Simulations are presented demonstrating reconstruction quality comparable to the standard filtered backprojection, which requires O(N5) computations under the same circumstances.     

Quality metric for approximating subjective evaluation of 3-D objects

Many factors, such as the number of vertices and the resolution of texture, can affect the display quality of three-dimensional (3-D) objects. When the resources of a graphics system are not sufficient to render the ideal image, degradation is inevitable. It is, therefore, important to study how individual factors will affect the overall quality, and how the degradation can be controlled given limited resources. In this paper, the essential factors determining the display quality are reviewed. We then integrate two important ones, resolution of texture and resolution of wireframe, and use them in our model as a perceptual metric. We assess this metric using statistical data collected from a 3-D quality evaluation experiment. The statistical model and the methodology to assess the display quality metric are discussed. A preliminary study of the reliability of the estimates is also described. The contribution of this paper lies in: 1) determining the relative importance of wireframe versus texture resolution in perceptual quality evaluation and 2) proposing an experimental strategy for verifying and fitting a quantitative model that estimates 3-D perceptual quality. The proposed quantitative method is found to fit closely to subjective ratings by human observers based on preliminary experimental results.     

Hough transform for feature detection in panoramic images

Omni-directional sensors are useful in obtaining a 360° field-of-view. With a radially symmetric mirror and conventional lens system this can be achieved with a single camera. There are several proposed profiles for the mirror, but most violate the single viewpoint (SVP) criteria necessary to allow functional equivalence to the standard perspective projection, posing challenges that have not yet been addressed in the literature. Such a imaging system with a non-SVP optical system do not benefit from the affine quality of straight line features being represented as collinear points in the image plane. To utilize these non-SVP mirrors, a new method to recognize such features is required. This work describes an approach to detecting features in panoramic non-SVP images using a modified Hough transform. A mathematical model for this feature extraction process is given. Experimental results are presented to validate this model and show robust performance in identifying line features with only estimated calibration.     

Electric Power and Heat Generation Expansion Planning

Abstract

A short-term electric power and heat generation augmentation planning (EPHGAP) is portrayed and evaluated here. The objective of EPHGAP is to find out the most cost-effective and dependable expansion plan for meeting the forecasted electrical power demand and heat demand over a long-range horizon while fulfilling a large number of technical, cost-effective, reliability, and social constraints. The EPHGAP problem is a big-dimensional highly constrained mixed integer nonlinear programing (MINLP) problem. The general algebraic modeling system (GAMS) environment has been used to implement the proposed formulation, and the EPHGAP problem is solved by using Basic Open-source Nonlinear Mixed Integer (BONMIN) solver. An archetypal test system with existing thermal power plants, cascaded hydropower plants, cogeneration units, heat-only units and candidate cogeneration units, and cascaded hydro plants is considered to evaluate the proposed methodology. Simulation outcomes of the test system have been matched up to those acquired by differential evolution and particle swarm optimization. It has been observed from the comparison that the recommended BONMIN solver has the capability to bestow with superior quality solution.     

Guided-wave acoustooptic FM modulator

Phase modulation of guided optical waves by longitudinal sound is observed in a thin-film modulator of simple construction. The dependence of modulation sideband amplitudes upon acoustic strain is investigated, and device performance is found to be close to that predicted by theory.     

Longitudinal ultrasonic wave propagation along X-axis in KDP near it's ferroelectric phase transition temperature

We have examined the propagation behaviour of longitudinal ultrasonic wave along the X-axis near the ferroelectric phase transition temperature of KDP. We find the propagation behaviour is similar in nature to that along the Z-axis (polarization axis).     

Longitudinal ultrasonic attenuation in normal and superconducting lead at low temperatures

We have measured longitudinal ultrasonic attenuation along the [110] direction in normal and superconducting states in two single crystals of lead, one made from high-purity lead and the other made with high-purity lead doped with 0.1 at % gold. In both specimens an amplitude-dependent effect in the superconducting state has been observed. The data have been taken in the frequency range from 12 to 108 MHz. In high-purity lead the amplitude-independent ratio α_s/α_n shows the frequency dependence observed by Randorff and Marshall, whereas in the doped specimen this ratio shows a very small spread with frequency. In both specimens deformation does not change the α_s/α_n ratio appreciably.     

Characterization of various commercial forms of ammonium paratungstate powder

The structures and morphologies of various commercial forms of ammonium paratungstate have been studied and related to the processes used for the production of this material. High temperature crystallization processes are shown to produce the monoclinic pentahydrate 5(NH₄)₂O.12WO₃.5H₂O which yields a cuboid or equiaxed monoclinic powder morphology. Crystallization at room temperature produces the orthorhombic undecahydrate 5(NH₄)₂0.12WO₃.11H₂O which has a lath-like particle morphology. Freeze-dried ammonium paratungstate is shown to be amorphous in nature, to have a chemical composition approaching that of the undecahydrate, and to have a porous, multiparticulate agglomerate particle morphology. The apparent densities of the samples of ammonium paratungstate are explained in terms of the particle morphologies.     

Endothelial vasodilatory function is predicted by circulating apolipoprotein B and HDL in healthy humans

Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV), LDL particle size, and antibodies against oxidized LDL (oxLDLab) have been shown to be related to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we investigated whether LDL particle size, oxLDLab, apolipoproteins, and lipoproteins are related to endothelial vasodilatory function in a population sample of 58 apparently healthy subjects aged 20 to 69 yr. EDV and endothelium-independent vasodilation (EIDV) were studied in the forearm during local administration of methacholine chloride (2 and 4 μg/min) or sodium nitroprusside (5 and 10 μg/min). Forearm blood flow was determined with venous occlusion plethysmography. In multiple stepwise regression analyses, neither oxLDLab nor small LDL particles were significantly predictive of endothelial vasodilatory function. Instead, a high level of apolipoprotein B (apoB) was an independent predictor of both attenuated EDV and EIDV (r=−0.43, P<0.01, and r=−0.34, P<0.05, respectively). HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, was the only lipid variable that was significantly related to the EDV to EIDV ratio, an index of endothelial vasodilatory function (r=0.35, P<0.01). The inverse associations between apoB and both EDV and EIDV indicate that apoB might be an early marker of structural vascular changes in healthy subjects, whereas HDL seems to be more specifically related to endothelial vasodilatory function.