Parallel supervised land-cover classification system for hyperspectral and multispectral images

Hyperspectral and multispectral imagery allows remote-sensing applications such as the land-cover mapping, which is a significant baseline to understand and to monitor the Earth. Furthermore, it is a relevant process for socio-economic activities. For that reason, high land-classification accuracies are imperative, and minor image processing time is essential. In addition, the process of gathering classes’ documented samples is complicated. This implies that the classification system is required to perform with a limited number of training observations. Another point worth mentioning is that there are hardly any methods that can be used analogously for hyperspectral or multispectral images. This paper aims to propose a novel classification system that can be used for both types of images. The designed classification system is composed of a novel parallel feature extraction algorithm, which utilises a cluster of two graphics processing units in combination with a multicore central processing unit (CPU), and an artificial neural network (ANN) particularly devised for the classification of the features ensued by the implemented feature extraction method. To prove the performance of the proposed classification system, it is compared with non-parallel and CPU-only-parallel implementations employing multispectral and hyperspectral databases. Moreover, experiments with different number of samples for training the classifier are performed. Finally, the proposed ANN is compared with a state-of-the-art support vector machine in classification and processing time results.     

Image super-resolution via two coupled dictionaries and sparse representation

In image processing, the super-resolution (SR) technique has played an important role to perform high-resolution (HR) images from the acquired low-resolution (LR) images. In this paper, a novel technique is proposed that can generate a SR image from a single LR input image. Designed framework can be used in images of different kinds. To reconstruct a HR image, it is necessary to perform an intermediate step, which consists of an initial interpolation; next, the features are extracted from this initial image via convolution operation. Then, the principal component analysis (PCA) is used to reduce information redundancy after features extraction step. Non-overlapping blocks are extracted, and for each block, the sparse representation is performed, which it is later used to recover the HR image. Using the quality objective criteria and subjective visual perception, the proposed technique has been evaluated demonstrating their competitive performance in comparison with state-of-the-art methods.     

Antineoplastic Isoflavonoids Derived from Intermediate ortho‐Quinone Methides Generated from Mannich Bases

The regioselective condensations of various 7‐hydroxyisoflavonoids with bis(N,N‐dimethylamino)methane in a Mannich reaction provided C‐8 N,N‐dimethylaminomethyl‐substituted isoflavonoids in good yield. Similar condensations of 7‐hydroxy‐8‐methylisoflavonoids led to the C‐6‐substituted analogs. Thermal eliminations of dimethylamine from these C‐6 or C‐8 N,N‐dimethylaminomethyl‐substituted isoflavonoids generated ortho‐quinone methide intermediates within isoflavonoid frameworks for the first time. Despite other potential competing outcomes, these ortho‐quinone methide intermediates trapped dienophiles including 2,3‐dihydrofuran, 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran, 3‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one, 1‐morpholinocyclopentene, and 1‐morpholinocyclohexene to give various inverse electron‐demand Diels–Alder adducts. Several adducts derived from 8‐N,N‐dimethylaminomethyl‐substituted isoflavonoids displayed good activity in the 1–10 μm concentration range in an in vitro proliferation assay using the PC‐3 prostate cancer cell line.     

Solvation effects on spectral and photophysical properties of phenalenone dyes in polyurethane polymers

Spectral and photophysical properties of several phenalenone dyes were investigated in the dependence on a type of the polyurethane polymer matrix. The increase in polarity of the solid-state medium was shown to shift absorption and luminescence spectra to the low energy side. Effects of the substituents in the phenalenone chromophore on a Stokes shift value were studied. Photophysical properties of phenalenones were found out to be significantly dependent on the polymerization method of polymer matrices. Considerable growth in photostability of organic dyes was observed when the dyes were bonded covalently with a polymer chain.     

The removal of phosphorus from reject water in a municipal wastewater treatment plant using iron ore

BACKGROUND: Reject water (return liquor) from dewatering of anaerobically digested activated sludge in municipal wastewater treatment plants contains from 10 to 50% of the phosphorus load when being recycled to the aeration tank. Phosphorus removal from reject water could be an effective way to decrease phosphorus loads entering the aeration tank. An innovative approach involves the replacement of iron salts, which are commonly used for phosphorus removal, with ferrous ions produced by iron‐reducing bacteria from iron ore. The aim of the research was to examine the feasibility of phosphorus removal from return liquor using bioreduction of iron ore. RESULTS: Ferrous production, phosphate and organic carbon removal rates were determined as a function of different iron ore particle sizes in batch experiments. Iron‐reducing bacteria ensured the production of ferrous ions from iron ore up to concentrations of 550 mg L^?1. The ferrous production rate was linearly dependent on the calculated specific surface area of the iron ore particles. The phosphorus concentration in the reject water was reduced by 90% during bioreduction of iron ore. The phosphorus removal rate did not depend on specific surface area of iron ore particles when the particle size of iron ore was smaller than 7 mm. The organic carbon removal rate did not seem to be dependent on iron ore particle size. CONCLUSION: Removal of phosphate using iron ore can be more economical than conventional chemical precipitation of phosphate using iron salts because of the lower cost of iron ore. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Confocal Microscopic Studies on Evolution of Crystals During Oxidation of the FeO-CaO-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-MnO Slags

The current work investigates dynamic phenomena at the microstructural level during iron and manganese recovery from the liquid FeO-CaO-SiO₂-MnO slags using an oxidation method. A hot-stage-equipped confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM) was used to analyze the kinetic behavior of crystallization in synthetic slags. Based on observed precipitations on cooling in the 1273 K (1000 °C) to 1873 K (1600 °C) temperature range, a time–temperature–transformation (TTT) diagram has been created. The crystallization studies were conducted in air.     

Crystal structure of HT-Ni5P2 and reinvestigation of isotypic Ni5As2

The crystal structure of Ni₅As₂ is reinvestigated, and the synthesis and determination of the crystal structure of the HT-Ni₅P₂ using single crystal X-ray data are described. Ni₅As₂ crystallizes in space group P6₃cm, Pearson symbol hP48, a = 0.68253(1) nm, c = 1.25197(4) nm, V = 0.5051(1) nm³, Z = 6, R_F = 0.041, wR_F = 0.042 for 1196 independent reflections with F(hkl) > 4σF(hkl). The high temperature modification of the binary phosphide HT-Ni₅P₂ is isotypic with the arsenide, a = 0.65795(7) nm, c = 1.2261(5) nm, V = 0.4597(2) nm³, Z = 6, R_F = 0.058, wR_F = 0.135 for 504 independent reflections with F(hkl) > 4σF(hkl). The structure types of Ni₅As₂ and earlier known LT-Ni₅P₂ are closely related, and can be described as distorted variants of the Pd₅Sb₂ structure.     

Management of the Quality of Corrosion Protection of Structural Steel Based on Corrosion Risk Level

The paper deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of improving regulatory and technical framework for assuring the quality and safety of metal structures and their protective coatings under the exposure of corrosive environment. Methodological approach has been developed to managing technological safety, assessing the risks of corrosion failures, and extension of an industrial facility＇s life based on company standards taking into account the requirements for safe operation of buildings and installations. Basic provisions of the method of limit states design have been analyzed to determine： design characteristics of corrosion impacts, computational models and design cases for affirming compliance of corrosion resistance, and durability and maintainability of structures and their protective coatings. Presented are practical examples of justifying the choice of means of primary and secondary protection, taking into account classification of the established levels of facility corrosion hazard. On the basis of limit state design principles, logistical control- and decision-making system is generated for reliability assurance of steel structures and protective coatings. Assessment criteria are specified for the risks with the use of the materials and technologies of primary and secondary corrosion protection.     

Epitaxial Ni–Mn–Ga/MgO(1 0 0) thin films ranging in thickness from 10 to 100 nm

Thin films of Ni–Mn–Ga alloy ranging in thickness from 10 to 100 nm have been epitaxially grown on MgO(1 0 0) substrate. Temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction measurements combined with room-temperature atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy highlight the structural features of the martensitic structure from the atomic level to the microscopic scale, in particular the relationship between crystallographic orientations and twin formation. Depending on the film thickness, different crystallographic and microstructural behaviours have been observed: for thinner Ni–Mn–Ga films (10 and 20 nm), the L2₁ austenitic cubic phase is present throughout the temperature range being constrained to the substrate. When the thickness of the film exceeds the critical value of 40 nm, the austenite-to-martensite phase transition is allowed. The martensitic phase is present with the unique axis of the pseudo-orthorhombic 7M modulated martensitic structure perpendicular to the film plane. A second critical thickness has been identified at 100 nm where the unique axis has been found both perpendicular and parallel to the film plane. Magnetic force microscopy reveals the out-of-plane magnetic domain structure for thick films. For the film thickness below 40 nm, no magnetic contrast is observed, indicating an in-plane orientation of the magnetization.     

快速凝固富钛Ti-V合金的微观组织和储氢性能

研究目的在于优化Ti0.8-0.9V0.2-0.1二元合金的相结构成分、微观组织和储氢性能。该合金主要用于从含有大量一氧化碳的高温气态混合物中吸收氢气。Ti0.8-0.9V0.2-0.1合金中的α-（HCP）和β-（BCC）相在纯氢气中基于氢化作用,形成单相FCC结构的氢化物,此过程与合金的化学成分无关。同步辐射X射线衍射的原位分析表明,在含有氢气和10%一氧化碳的混合气体中,只有β相转变成相应的氢化物。快速凝固（RS）处理细化了Ti0.8V0.2和Ti0.9V0.1合金的晶粒组织,而且,快速凝固处理增加了Ti0.9V0.1合金中的β相,其所占比例是普通熔铸条件下的两倍。扫描电子显微镜（SEM）分析表明,Ti0.9V0.1合金含有片状组织,层片的厚度约为300nm。热脱附谱（TDS）显示,微观组织的细化可以加快氢脱附的动力学过程。