A localized algorithm for bi-connectivity of connected mobile robots

Teams of multiple mobile robots may communicate with each-other using a wireless ad-hoc network. Fault-tolerance in communication can be achieved by making the communication network bi-connected. We present the first localized protocol for constructing a fault-tolerant bi-connected robotic network topology from a connected network, in such a way that the total movement of robots is minimized. The proposed distributed algorithm uses p-hop neighbor information to identify critical head robots that can direct two neighbors to move toward each other and bi-connect their neighborhood. Simulation results show that the total distance of movement of robots decreases significantly (e.g. about 2.5 times for networks with density 10) with our localized algorithm when compared to the existing globalized one. Proposed localized algorithm does not guarantee bi-connectivity, may partition the network, and may even stop at connected but not bi-connected stage. However, our algorithm achieved 100% success on all networks with average degrees ≥10, and over 70% success on sparse networks with average degrees ≥5.     

Optimal log-polar image sampling

In order to achieve better image compression simultaneously maintaining the high signal quality, the image sampling has become very important. Also, since the human eye sensitivity has circularly symmetric distribution, in recent years it is usual to apply log-polar image sampling. In this paper, we perform optimization of log-polar image sampling and show the significant improvement in comparison with the product log-polar sampling. Namely, for equal numbers of sensors optimal model gives higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) up to 2.5 dB, i.e., it is possible to decrease the number of required sensors by 45% for the same SNR. Furthermore, research shows that in optimal log-polar image sampling, the middle region of image, which is not sampled, can be made to be smaller than in the case of product sampling.     

Distributed Dijkstra sparse placement routing algorithm for translucent optical networks

In this paper we study translucent optical networks as an alternative to fully transparent and fully opaque optical networks. In the former networks, a technique called sparse placement is used to overcome the lightpath blocking caused by the signal quality degradation, using much less regenerators, which must strategically be placed, in contrast to a fully opaque network. In this paper we propose a sparse placement algorithm based on two requirements. The first one is signal regeneration necessary to re-amplify, reshape, and retime the optical signals after some predefined transparent distance in order to successfully receive the signals at the destination node. The other is load balance of the traffic in the network aimed at efficient usage of the network capacity resources. We apply a distributed Dijkstra routing algorithm which dynamically changes weights of links during the process of locating regeneration capable nodes. We compare the performance of the proposed algorithm with commonly used sparse placement algorithms through simulation experiments. The benefits are such that load balancing of the network traffic is fully utilized, and with technological development it will be sufficient to equip up to 30% of nodes in the network with electronic regenerations in order to have the same performance as in an opaque network.

Methylglyoxal in food and living organisms

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive alpha-oxoaldehyde formed endogenously in numerous enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions. It modifies arginine and lysine residues in proteins forming advanced glycation end-products such as N(delta)-(5-methyl-4-imidazolon-2-yl)-L-ornithine (MG-H1), 2-amino-5-(2-amino-5-hydro-5-methyl-4-imidazolon-1-yl)pentanoic acid (MG-H2), 2-amino-5-(2-amino-4-hydro-4-methyl-5-imidazolon-1-yl)pentanoic acid (MG-H3), argpyrimidine, N(delta)-(4-carboxy-4,6-dimethyl-5,6-dihydroxy-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-2-yl)-L-ornithine (THP), N(epsilon)-(1-carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), MG-derived lysine dimer (MOLD), and 2-ammonio-6-({2-[4-ammonio-5-oxido-5-oxopently)amino]-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-ylidene}amino)hexanoate (MODIC), which have been identified in vivo and are associated with complications of diabetes and some neurodegenerative diseases. In foodstuffs and beverages, MG is formed during processing, cooking, and prolonged storage. Fasting and metabolic disorders and/or defects in MG detoxification processes cause accumulation of this reactive dicarbonyl in vivo. In addition, the intake of low doses of MG over a prolonged period of time can cause degenerative changes in different tissues, and can also exert anticancer activity. MG in biological samples can be quantified by HPLC or GC methods with preliminary derivatization into more stable chromophores and/or fluorophores, or derivatives suitable for determination by MS by use of diamino derivatives of benzene and naphthalene, 6-hydroxy-2,4,5-triaminopyrimidine, cysteamine, and o-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine. The methods include three basic steps: deproteinization, incubation with derivatization agent, and chromatographic analysis with or without preliminary extraction of the formed products.     

Multifractal analysis of human retinal vessels

In this paper, it is shown that vascular structures of the human retina represent geometrical multifractals, characterized by a hierarchy of exponents rather then a single fractal dimension. A number of retinal images from the STARE database are analyzed, corresponding to both normal and pathological states of the retina. In all studied cases, a clearly multifractal behavior is observed, where capacity dimension is always found to be larger then the information dimension, which is in turn always larger then the correlation dimension, all the three being significantly lower then the diffusion limited aggregation (DLA) fractal dimension. We also observe a tendency of images corresponding to the pathological states of the retina to have lower generalized dimensions and a shifted spectrum range, in comparison with the normal cases.     

Insulation co-ordination for continuous operating voltages and temporary overvoltages

This paper presents an approach to the insulation co-ordination of electric-power installations in the scope of the continuous operating voltages and temporary overvoltages; this approach opens the possibility to calculate the necessary required withstand voltages of unit insulations for short-duration (1 min) power-frequency test voltage, with respect to continuous operating voltages and power-frequency temporary overvoltages and the necessary reliability of the operation of high-voltage power system installations.     

α- and γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane measurements in the brine fraction of sea ice in the Canadian High Arctic using a sump-hole technique

We used holes augered partially into first-year sea ice (sumps) to determine α- and γ-HCH concentrations in sea-ice brine. The overwintering of the CCGS Amundsen in the Canadian western Arctic, as part of the Circumpolar Flaw Lead (CFL) System Study, provided the circumstances to allow brine to accumulate in sumps sufficiently to test the methodology. We show, for the first time, that as much as 50% of total HCHs in seawater can become entrapped within the ice crystal matrix. On average, in the winter first-year sea ice HCH brine concentrations reached 4.013 ± 0.307 ng/L and 0.423 ± 0.013 ng/L for the α- and γ-isomer, respectively. In the spring, HCHs decreased gradually with time, with increasing brine volume fraction and decreasing brine salinity. These decreasing concentrations could be accounted for by both the dilution with the ice crystal matrix and under-ice seawater. We propose that the former process plays a more significant role considering brine volume fractions calculated in this study were below 20%. Levels of HCHs in the brine exceed under-ice water concentrations by approximately a factor of 3, a circumstance suggesting that the brine ecosystem has been, and continues to be, the most exposed to HCHs.     

Wind turbine overspeed protection based on polytopic robustly invariant sets

Complex mechanical systems, such as wind turbines, often include safety constraints which should not be violated in order to avoid high risk of structural damage. Adherence to the safety constraints is ensured with a well‐designed operating envelope protection. In this paper, we present an invariant set‐based protection concept with the application to the wind turbine overspeed protection. The approach is model‐based and operates without wind‐preview measurements. Instead, it is based on the evolution model of the wind disturbance in the worst‐case scenario manner. Accurate system estimation utilizing the blade root in‐plane measurement is proposed, along with the efficient algorithm for the hard real‐time operation of the protection system. The overspeed protection system is validated in extensive simulations on extreme turbulent wind, performed in GH Bladed. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed concept compared with the baseline controller performance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Yield load solutions of heterogeneous welded joints

The aim of this paper is to establish yield load solutions when the materials inhomogeneity within the weld is present, which is usually the case in repair welding. The effect of yield strength mismatch of welded joints performed with different geometry on the yield load value has been investigated in the context of single edge notched fracture toughness specimen subjected to bending SE(B) using the finite element method. The crack was located in the center of the weld and the two most important geometrical parameters were identified as: crack length ratio a/W as well as slenderness of the welded joint, which were systematically varied. One practical and four additional combinations of filler materials, with the same portion of overmatched part and undermatched part of the weld, were analyzed, and plane strain FE solutions for the case when the crack is located in the overmatched half of the heterogeneous weld were obtained.