Consistency of robust estimators in multi-structural visual data segmentation

A theoretical framework is presented to study the consistency of robust estimators used in vision problems involving extraction of fine details. A strong correlation between asymptotic performance of a robust estimator and the asymptotic bias of its scale estimate is mathematically demonstrated where the structures are assumed to be linear corrupted by Gaussian noise. A new measure for the inconsistency of scale estimators is defined and formulated by deriving the functional forms of four recent high-breakdown robust estimators. For each estimator, the inconsistency measures are numerically evaluated for a range of mutual distances between structures and inlier ratios, and the minimum mutual distance between the structures, for which each estimator returns a non-bridging fit, is calculated.     

Multicast routing protocols in wireless mesh networks: a survey

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) introduce a new type of network that has been applied over the last few years. One of the most important developing issues in WMNs is multicast routing, which is a key technology that provides dissemination of data to a group of members in an efficient way. In this article, after an introduction about the structure of a WMN, multicast routing algorithms and protocols in WMNs are surveyed in a detailed and efficient manner. Moreover, effort is made to scale the study into one of the important potential capabilities of multicast routing mechanisms in WMNs, which is taking advantage of using different channels and radios association. While nodes in a single-radio mesh network operating on single-channel have restrictions for capacity, equipping mesh routers with multiple radios using multiple channels can decrease the intention of capacity problem as well as increase the aggregate bandwidth available to the network and improving the throughput. Hence, the purpose of channel assignment is to decrease the interferences while increasing the network capacity and keeping the connectivity of the network. Therefore, this article investigates the multicast protocols considering a definition of three types of WMNs, based on channel-radio association including SRSC, SRMC and MRMC. In its follow, a classification for multicast routing algorithms regarding the achieved optimal solutions will be presented. Finally, a study of MRMC and its relevant problems will be offered, considering the joint channel assignment and the multicast tree construction problem.     

A crossover‐UNIQUAC model for critical and noncritical LLE calculations

A new model, named the crossover‐UNIQUAC model, has been proposed based on the crossover procedure for predicting constant‐pressure liquid–liquid equilibria (LLE). In this manner, critical fluctuations were incorporated into the classical UNIQUAC equation. Coexistence curves were estimated for systems having a diverse range of asymmetries. These systems included the LLE of five different mixtures, composed of nitrobenzene with one of the members of the alkane homologous family (either pentane, octane, decane, dodecane, or tetradecane), as well as an extra system having a different chemical nature, namely the mixture of n‐perfluorohexane and hexane, to further check the validity of the proposed approach. Using these nonideal mixtures, the validity of the new model was investigated within wide ranges, covering near‐critical to regions falling far away from the critical point. The graphical trends, as well as the quantitative comparison with experimental data indicated the good agreement of the proposed model results with the experimental data. A maximum AARD% value of 3.97% was obtained in calculating molar compositions by the proposed model for such challenging systems covering noncritical, as well as critical regions. In addition, to show the strength of the proposed crossover approach to describe properties other than LLE, molar heat capacities were investigated for the system of nitrobenzene + dodecane. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3094–3103, 2015     

Effect of fuel type on structural and physicochemical properties of solution combustion synthesized CoCr2O4 ceramic pigment nanoparticles

Due to importance and wide applications, CoCr₂O₄ ceramic pigment nanoparticles were synthesized via low-temperature solution combustion route by different fuels including ethylenediamine/oxalic acid, ethylenediamine/citric acid, oxalic acid/citric acid and ethylenediamine/oxalic acid/citric acid. Physicochemical properties of the synthesized samples were determined by different techniques such as fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and color/optical properties were evaluated based on CIELAB system by spectrophotometer. Moreover, thermodynamic considerations of combustion reactions for CoCr₂O₄ nanopigments formation in terms of calculated adiabatic flame temperature and enthalpy of combustion reaction were studied. The Comparison of results and data showed that cobalt chromite pigment nanoparticles synthesized by using ethylenediamine/citric acid and ethylenediamine/oxalic acid/citric acid fuels exhibited higher purity, smaller crystallite size and lower degree agglomeration.     

Morphological evolution on the surface of hydrothermally synthesized hydroxyapatite microspheres in the presence of EDTMP

Well-ordered and surface engineered hierarchical hydroxyapatite microspheres (HAM) were prepared via a template free hydrothermal process. Ethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonic acid) (EDTMP) was used as chelating or regulating agent for the first time in this study. The results indicated the formation of sheet-like particles in the absence of EDTMP. On the other hand, microspheres with radially grown nanorods (HAMNR) or nanosheets (HAMNS) on the surface were obtained (with average diameter of 5?µm) in the presence of EDTMP. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the crystalline phases in the synthesized samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that EDTMP concentration played an important part in regulating the morphology to form well organized microspheres with nanosheets or nanorods on the surface. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) revealed an increase in the specific surface area with the change in morphology from the HAMNS to HAMNR. Possible mechanisms are proposed to account for the formation of different morphologies based upon thermodynamic and kinetic theories.     

Controlled release of fluorouracil (5-FU) from chitosan-co-poly(ethylene glycol)/ poly(glycerol sebacate)-co-poly(ethylene glycol)-coated iron oxide

A blend of polyglycerol sebacate-poly ethylene glygol/chitosan-poly ethylene glycol-coated iron oxide (PGS-PEG/CS-PEG@Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles for 5FU delivery was prepared by reverse ultrasonic emulsification method. To enhance polymers’ solubility, PEG was grafted. Chemical characterization was performed through Fourier transformed infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. In vitro assay revealed that release profile of 5FU-loaded PGS-PEG/CS-PEG@Fe₃O₄ is sustained. Moreover, cytotoxicity was analyzed on HT29 cell line at the presence of external magnetic field using the lactate dehydrogenase and Alamar Blue. Results illustrate that (PGS-PEG/CS-PEG@Fe₃O₄) is promising to use as a carrier for 5FU anticancer agent with sustained tailored release.     

Catalytic performance of CeAPSO-34 molecular sieve with various cerium content for methanol conversion to olefin

A series of CeAPSO-34s with various cerium contents was synthesized and characterized by multiple techniques such as XRD, SEM, BET, ²⁹Si MAS NMR, NH₃-TPD and CO₂-TPD. NH₃-TPD spectra showed that a number of acid sites, especially those of strong acidity, is reduced with the increasing of Ce incorporation. Incorporation of metal ions gave rise to more silica-islands in the CeAPSO-34 framework. CO₂-TPD showed that basic sites on the surface of modified samples are due to the presence of Ce-containing species incorporation into the framework of CeAPSO-34 molecular sieves. The performance of the catalysts was studied in methanol to olefin reactions at 425 °C under the atmospheric pressure. The results showed that the incorporation of cerium ions had great effects on the structure and acidity of the molecular sieves. All SAPO-34 and MeAPSO-34 molecular sieves were the very active and selective catalyst for light olefins production. Cerium incorporation improved the catalyst lifetime and favored the ethylene and propylene generation. However, an excess Ce content resulted in an inferior catalytic performance and stability. Therefore, there existed optimal cerium content for a specific SAPO-34.