Pose estimation through cue integration: a neuroscience-inspired approach

The aim of this paper is to improve the skills of robotic systems in their interaction with nearby objects. The basic idea is to enhance visual estimation of objects in the world through the merging of different visual estimators of the same stimuli. A neuroscience-inspired model of stereoptic and perspective orientation estimators, merged according to different criteria, is implemented on a robotic setup and tested in different conditions. Experimental results suggest that the integration of multiple monocular and binocular cues can make robot sensory systems more reliable and versatile. The same results, compared with simulations and data from human studies, show that the model is able to reproduce some well-recognized neuropsychological effects.     

Water Disinfection Using Chitosan Microbeads With N-, C-, C-N/TiO2 By Photocatalysis Under Visible Light

Chitosan microbeads with C-doped TiO₂, N-doped TiO₂ and C,N-codoped TiO₂ were prepared to obtain photocatalysts with higher photocatalytic efficiency, active under visible light and easy to removed from aqueous medium. TiO₂ powders were synthesized by the sol–gel method and modified using glucose and ammonium nitrate as source of C and N, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), DRUV–Vis spectra and Raman techniques, were used to characterize the modified TiO₂ powders. The structural and physicochemical properties of the microbeads were analyzed by nitrogen physisorption, functional groups were identified by Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and microbeads were observed by optical microscopy. The microbeads photocatalytic efficiency under visible light was evaluated monitoring the E. coli growth-inhibition, determined by colony count analysis (CFU—colony forming units). Results showed effectiveness in all tested composites to inhibit E. coli growth in 24 h under visible light. Furthermore chitosan microbeads with C,N-codoped TiO₂ showed the best performance in the degradation test being the most effective composite to achieving 99.99% of E. coli growth inhibition in less than 4 h.

     

原位聚合法制备环氧树脂/纳米SiO2灌封材料的性能研究

采用原位聚合法制备了环氧树脂/纳米SiO2灌封材料.用透射电镜(TEM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、差热扫描量热法(DSC)等方法研究了材料的结构与性能.结果表明,环氧树脂/纳米SiO2灌封材料的冲击强度和弯曲强度随纳米SiO2含量而变化,当其含量为3%(质量分数)时二者出现最大值,与纯环氧树脂固化物相比冲击强度和弯曲强度分别提高了98%和112%.同时纳米SiO2的加入也使灌封材料的电性能和热性能得到改善,线膨胀系数明显降低,环氧树脂的粘度稍有增加.     

边界保护的理论基础 第二部分:线路边界的折、反射系数的频谱

在第一部分中 ,对故障产生的暂态进行了分析 ,发现区内外故障暂态分量的频谱差异主要与线路边界的折、反射系数的频谱有关。本文是第二部分 ,主要探讨了两类母线的接线情况下 ,线路边界的折、反射系数的频谱特征。同时 ,还分析了当线路上接有三相阻波器时 ,对线路边界折、反射系数频谱特征的影响。最后在折、反射系数频谱特征的基础上 ,分析了区内外故障时暂态分量频谱的具体差异     

The Strategic Impact of Internet Technology in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Firms: Insights from a Knowledge Management Perspective

This paper conceptualises the strategic impact of new Internet technology in biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms. It argues that competitiveness of modern, agile pharmaceutical businesses depend on their ability to create and commercialise new knowledge as much as on their ability to produce new products. Hence, knowledge production and intellectual property management provide a strong foundation for emerging, successful e-commerce strategies. The authors suggest Knowledge Management (KM) plays a key role in determining organizational performance levels and value creation. KM refers to technologies for processing information and generating and distributing knowledge, but also to organizational structures (such as virtual enterprise designs) that increase strategic fit and effectiveness of KM implementations. The Internet is seen as core technology enabling the creation of organizational networks (virtual teams; virtual customer-supplier communities). More specifically, this paper devises a new classificatory framework that categorises the strategic impact of Internet technology in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, which is based on three key dimensions: converting information into knowledge, the redesign of the innovation process, and knowledge-oriented organisational structuring. The authors extend their framework beyond the boundaries of the firm to include relationship with customers, suppliers, intermediaries such as specialist biotech companies and healthcare professionals.     

Study on SCR De NOx mechanism through in situ electrical conductivity measurements on V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalysts

V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalysts were prepared by impregnation method and in situ electrical conductivity measurements were carried out to investigate the reaction mechanism for ammonia SCR (selective catalytic reduction) of NOx.The electrical conductivity change with ammonia supply and the increase of electrical conductivity were mainly caused by reduction of the labile surface oxygen.The electrical conductivity change of catalysts shows close relationship with the conversion rate of NOx.Variation of conversion rate in atmosphere without gaseous oxygen also supports that the labile lattice oxygen is indispensable in the initial stage of the de NOx reaction.These results suggest that the liable lattice oxygen acts decisive role in the de NOx mechanism.They also support that De NOx reaction occurs through the Eley-Rideal type mechanism.The amount of labile oxygen can be estimated from the measurement of electrical conductivity change for catalysts with ammonia supply.     

Lactic acid production and rheological properties of yogurt made from milk acidified with carbon dioxide

The influence of milk acidification up to pH 6.0 with CO₂ on D ‐ and L ‐lactic acid production and lactose consumption by yogurt starter, changes in the pH, and rheological and sensory properties of yogurt were studied. A slight influence of CO₂ on lactic acid production during yogurt manufacture was detected. No significant changes in lactic acid concentration were observed during storage, although the final concentration was significantly lower in control than in pH 6.2 and 6.0 acidified samples. A great influence of CO₂ on D ‐lactic acid production was not observed. Yogurt manufactured from milk with lower pH values showed lower final pH values after 7 days of storage. The viscosity was similar in all analysed samples. No significant differences in sensory characteristics between unacidified and acidified yogurts were detected. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Study of the Porous Solids Obtained by Acid Treatment of a High Surface Area Saponite

A new deposit of saponite, Vicálvaro (Madrid, Spain), has recently been described in the Madrid Basin (provinces of Madrid and Toledo, Central Spain). The acid treatment of such material and the characterization of the solids obtained are reported in the present paper. The surface area of the natural saponite is rather high, 197 m²/g, related to the very small size of the clay particles due to the sedimentary origin of the deposit. The treatment of the saponitic material at room temperature with 0.62 wt% HCl for times of between 2 and 48 h or with 1.25 wt% HCl solutions for times of up to 6 h produces a partial dissolution of the saponite structure, resulting in the formation of mixtures of unattacked saponite and free silica, with a high development of the textural properties of the solids. The treatment with 1.25 wt% HCl solutions for times of over 6 h results in an almost total dissolution of the structure of the clay, the obtained solids being mainly formed by some delaminated saponite sheets, free silica and insoluble impurities. Solids with a maximum surface area of 462 m²/g and a maximum number of acid centres of 0.98 mmol H⁺/g are obtained.