Computation Controllable Mode Decision and Motion Estimation for Scalable Video Coding

This paper proposes an efficient computation‐aware mode decision and search point (SP) allocation algorithm for spatial and quality scalabilities in Scalable Video Coding. In our proposal, a linear model is derived to allocate the computation for macroblocks in enhancement layers by using the rate distortion costs of the base layer. In addition, an adaptive SP decision algorithm is proposed to decide the number of SPs for motion estimation under the constraint of the allocated computation. Experiment results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm allocates the computation resource efficiently and outperforms other works in rate distortion performance under the same computational availability constraint.     

On building a medical diagnostic system of acute exanthemas

Abstract

In this paper, we present a multi‐purpose medical diagnostic system named AEA — the Acute Exanthem Advisor, and the methodologies of its implementation. AEA provides an accurate diagnosis of acute exanthemas and a complete environment including a user‐friendly interface, reviewing function, record keeping function and explanation function. Therefore, it may serve as an assistant, a record keeper or an educational tool. A prediction program is also provided which is capable of predicting the number of potential patients who are going to have acute exanthemas in the near future. To illustrate the processes of the consultation and the prediction of the AEA, an example is given. Finally, for the 25 different test cases given to the diagnosticians and the AEA, the answers are almost the same, so we can conclude that the performance of the AEA is satisfactory. Now, we are trying to extend the AEA system to be a medical diagnostic net for acute exanthemas, which will be able to be remote accessed through network communications.     

Modification of Fe and Al elemental powders’ sintering with addition of magnesium and magnesium hydride

An attempt to modify sintering of iron and aluminium elemental powders with use of small additions of Mg and MgH₂ was presented in this paper. The kinetics of such modified sintering was investigated using DSC technique, XRD analysis and SEM observations. Significant changes in the mechanism of exothermal formation reaction of Fe–Al intermetallic phases in compositions doped with magnesium and its hydride was observed. Initiation temperature of Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) reaction was pronouncedly shifted to lower value as compared with undoped composition. Influence of additions on the SHS reaction kinetics parameters was also calculated with use of the JMA model and changes of the Avrami exponent value of specific phase formation was noticed. Positive effect of MgH₂ addition on partial homogeneity of final product was also studied.     

3-D Video Generation from Monocular Video Based on Hierarchical Video Segmentation

Journal of Signal Processing Systems - This paper presents an algorithm that is capable of generating 3-D video from monocular video through a hierarchical approach that characterizes the low-level...     

Extraction of phenolic compounds from sour cherry pomace with supercritical carbon dioxide: Impact of process parameters on the composition and antioxidant properties of extracts

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) is rich in biologically active phenolic compounds. These compounds are concentrated in fruit skin and most of them remain in the leftovers during the production of juice. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction was used to separate phenolic compounds from sour cherry pomace. The effects of temperature, pressure and the addition of ethanol on anthocyanin and the total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity of the extracts were investigated. The best results were acquired for 35°C, 10 MPa and 80% ethanol addition. A strong correlation was found between the phenolic content and other features of the extracts.     

Evaluate the nonlinear viscoelasticity of polyolefin melts using the Larson model

Nonlinear rheological properties of polyolefins have long been studied and predicted by using the Larson model with the damping function generally obtained from the stress relaxation measurements. In this study, we investigate the nonlinear rheological properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) using the Larson model with damping functions obtained from either the dynamic frequency sweep or the stress relaxation test. Experimental measurements and their corresponding model predictions for the rheological parameters were then compared to evaluate the applicability of the Larson model to the nonlinear rheology, and the following conclusions could be achieved. The steady shear viscosity could be satisfactorily described by the Larson model with the damping functions obtained from the two different methods, except at shear rates higher than 10³ s^?1. The predicted first normal stresses also account for the measured data, except for those using the stress relaxation data showing a little deviation for the PP sample. In addition, the predictions for elongation viscosity are also in good agreement with the experimental results within the short range of elongation rate achieved in this work. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2354–2361, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of Glass Beads Surface Modified with Ionic Surfactants

Knowledge of the wetting characteristic of mineral surfaces is very important in enhancing the efficiency of separation of valuable minerals from gangue using froth flotation or oil agglomeration. In this paper a capillary rise technique was used to characterize the glass beads surface modified with cationic surfactant. The glass microspheres were used as model particles with a spherical shape and smooth surface to eliminate the roughness effect. The value of the contact angle for water was found to be 21.5 for unmodified beads, and 61.8, 89.7, 68.4 for 0.1, 1.0, 10 mg/g_solid of CTAB, and 39.8, 68.6, 87.9 for 0.1, 1.0, 10 mg/g_solid of DDAHCl, respectively. Data revealed that the adsorption of surfactant onto glass beads decreased the value of the electron donor component, γ-, which defines the hydrophobicity of the surface. Also, the property of the surface was investigated by flotation and oil agglomeration experiments. It was observed that particles with low value of contact angle for water and high for 1-bromonaphthalene and low value of γ- were floated with a recovery equal to 91.1 and 83.1% for CTAB and DDAHCl, respectively, and effectively agglomerated. This indicates that the capillary rise method can be successfully used to predict the wetting properties of solid particles in mineral processing.     

High resolution SEM characterization of nano‐precipitates in ODS steels

The performance of the present‐day scanning electron microscopy (SEM) extends far beyond delivering electronic images of the surface topography. Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel is on of the most promising materials for the future nuclear fusion reactor because of its good radiation resistance, and higher operation temperature up to 750°C. The microstructure of ODS should not exceed tens of nm, therefore there is a strong need in a fast and reliable technique for their characterization. In this work, the results of low‐kV SEM characterization of nanoprecipitates formed in the ODS matrix are presented. Application of highly sensitive photo‐diode BSE detector in SEM imaging allowed for the registration of single nm‐sized precipitates in the vicinity of the ODS alloys. The composition of the precipitates has been confirmed by TEM‐EDS.     

Fly ash as a sorbent for boron removal from aqueous solutions: Equilibrium and thermodynamic studies

ABSTRACT

This study presents the application of fly ash from brown coal and biomass burning power plant as a sorbent for the removal of boron ions from an aqueous solution. The adsorption process efficiency depended on the parameters, such as adsorbent dosage, pH, temperature, agitation time and initial boron concentration. The experimental data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model and the maximum capacity was found to be 16.14 mg g^?1. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model. Also, the intra-particle diffusion model parameters were calculated. Thermodynamic parameters such as change in free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), entropy (ΔS°) revealed on exothermic nature of boron adsorption onto the fly ash.