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.     

An incentive scheduling mechanism for peer-to-peer video streaming

P2P video streaming networks are found as a scalable solution and an alternative for traditional client–server based video streaming over the Internet. One of the significant issues affecting the success of any P2P streaming network is cooperation between peers. Practical observations have proved the prevalence of free riders in P2P networks that degrade their performance. To solve this problem, using incentive mechanisms, which encourage peers to contribute more in the network, is necessary. In this paper, we designed and proposed a distributed and scalable incentive mechanism for mesh based P2P video streaming networks. In the proposed approach the contribution of the peers is measured and maintained in a distributed fashion. Furthermore, we proposed an incentive sending side scheduler in which peers are served based on their contribution in the network. Our simulation evaluations show the efficiency of the proposed approach in improving the overall perceived video quality by the non-free rider nodes and consequently in the whole network.     

Prediction of scouring around an arch-shaped bed sill using Neuro-Fuzzy model

In this study, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) has been used to model local scouring depth and pattern scouring around concave and convex arch shaped circular bed sills. The experimental part of this research study includes seven sets of laboratory test cases which were performed in an experimental flume under different flow conditions. A data set consists of 2754 data points of scouring depth were collected to use in the ANFIS model. The ratio of arch diameter, D, to flume width, W, is used as a non dimensional variables in all test cases. The results from ANFIS model were compared with the results of ANN model obtained by Homayoon et al. [24] and previously presented models. The results indicated that for D/W equal to 1 and 1.2, the ANFIS models produced a good performance for convex and concave bed sills. As a result, the ANFIS models can be used as an alternative to ANN for estimation of scour depth and scour pattern around a concave bed sill installed with a bridge pier.     

Poly(acrylic acid)/gum arabic/ZnO semi-IPN hydrogels: synthesis,characterization and their optimizations by response surface methodology

Iranian Polymer Journal - Synthesis of novel semi-interpenetrating poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/gum arabic (AG)/ZnO hydrogels by in situ free radical polymerization was optimized using response surface...     

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.     

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)-based nanocomposite films as greenhouse covering material: Environmental sustainability,mechanical durability,and thermal stability

The environmental sustainability, mechanical durability, and thermal stability of the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)-based nanocomposite films compared with pure PET were evaluated. The samples were obtained by incorporating 2 wt% of TiO₂, SiO₂, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), and an equal mixture of NPs in polymer by melt-mixing in a twin-screw extruder. The mechanical properties and hardness of samples were determined by the tensile and the atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation tests. The melting, crystallization, and glass transition temperatures of samples were studied by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of compatibility, dispersity, and hydrophobicity of NPs on the surface morphology, crystallinity, and thermomechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied. The interaction of SiO₂ NPs with PET chains had a promising effect on the surface morphology, high elastic modulus, dispersibility, crystallinity, and thermostability of the sample. The mixing of ZnO and TiO₂ NPs improved the UV-blocking effects, and photostability, while the SiO₂ and TiO₂ NPs maintained the thermal properties of the film against UV radiation. The resulting film could be a good candidate as a greenhouse covering material due to its suitable photosynthetically active radiation transmittance.     

Hybrid polymer matrix composite (UHMWPE-HPMC) as solid particle erosion resistant coating for sharp pipe elbows using numerical simulation and experimental analysis

A hybrid polymer matrix composite coating, resistant to solid particle erosion inside sharp elbows, consisting interlocking chains of molecules with the ability to deflect the surface impact stress and to uniformly distribute stresses along the hard-ceramic reinforcement mixture surface was developed. Formulated mixture of ceramic reinforcement particles mixtures (alumina, tungsten carbide, and silicon carbide) with polymer coupling agents; to increase adhesion to the metal surface, led to 600–700 HVN in ternary and 500–550 HVN in binary mixtures. This behavior coincides with high shear strength of 70–76 MPa, Young's and shear modulus of 8.86 and 13.4 GPa in ternary 15%Al₂O₃-5%WC-10%SiC, respectively. The low erosion weight loss of 0.1% and small coefficient of friction near 0.18 indicates the significant wear resistance of the ternary sample. The electron microscopic micrographs determined the dense smooth coating surfaces with adhesive interfaces with the substrate.     

Investigation of Creep Feed Grinding Parameters and Heat treatment Effects on the Nickel-base Superalloys

The Nickel base Superalloys are the most famous complicated and useable of Superalloys to make hot zone components of the gas turbines. The complicated dimensional tolerances, specially at the root of the blade show importance of grinding processes at the production of blades root. The prediction of the effect of machining parameters on the soundness of component surface strengthening for reaching to a suitable surface finishing and avoiding from crack formation at the work part during machining operation often is not easy and feasible so needs to more industrial investigation.This research is about frame 5 blade designed by GE and made from Superalloy IN738LC has been investigated. The formation of a plastically deformed and heat affected zone during grinding of Superalloy IN738LC with a high depth of cut but slow work speed (creep feed grinding) was investigated. Parameters such as work speed, depth of cut and radial dressing speed have been considered as variables and their effects have been studied. During experimental performed, the voltage and current of motor measured and power and special energy calculated.Some samples heat-treated (of the 1176℃ for 1 hr under neutral argon gas and cooling rate of 15℃/min up to 537℃ and then air cooling) to study grains recrystallization. Other samples have been created from the roots of blades and then coated by Nickel to measure boundary layer micro-hardness. The results show that increasing work speed leads to increasing the use power. Increasing the depth of cut, by increasing material removal rate, and the radial dressing speed, by decreasing power, lead to decreasing special energy. The temperature created by grinding lead to decreasing plastic deformation and boundary layer formation. When the radial dressing speed changes from 1 to 0.6μm/rev and other parameters are kept unchanged the roughness of surface increases and the special energy decreases. Sufficient dressing is very essential in limiting the width of the molten zone to few micrometers. As a result, it was found that local melting at contact spots to be a rather common mechanism during grinding of superalloys, lead to so-called white layers which can easily be observed on metallographic cross sections.     

QG/GA: a stochastic search for Progol

Most search techniques within ILP require the evaluation of a large number of inconsistent clauses. However, acceptable clauses typically need to be consistent, and are only found at the “fringe” of the search space. A search approach is presented, based on a novel algorithm called QG (Quick Generalization). QG carries out a random-restart stochastic bottom-up search which efficiently generates a consistent clause on the fringe of the refinement graph search without needing to explore the graph in detail. We use a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to evolve and re-combine clauses generated by QG. In this QG/GA setting, QG is used to seed a population of clauses processed by the GA. Experiments with QG/GA indicate that this approach can be more efficient than standard refinement-graph searches, while generating similar or better solutions. Editors: Ramon Otero, Simon Colton.     

The Lattice-Boltzmann Method on Optimal Sampling Lattices

In this paper, we extend the single relaxation time Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM) to the 3D body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice. We show that the D3bQ15 lattice defined by a 15 neighborhood connectivity of the BCC lattice is not only capable of more accurately discretizing the velocity space of the continuous Boltzmann equation as compared to the D3Q15 Cartesian lattice, it also achieves a comparable spatial discretization with 30 percent less samples. We validate the accuracy of our proposed lattice by investigating its performance on the 3D lid-driven cavity flow problem and show that the D3bQ15 lattice offers significant cost savings while maintaining a comparable accuracy. We demonstrate the efficiency of our method and the impact on graphics and visualization techniques via the application of line-integral convolution on 2D slices as well as the extraction of streamlines of the 3D flow. We further study the benefits of our proposed lattice by applying it to the problem of simulating smoke and show that the D3bQ15 lattice yields more detail and turbulence at a reduced computational cost.