Particle swarm optimization with deep learning for human action recognition

Multimedia Tools and Applications - A novel method for human action recognition using a deep learning network with features optimized using particle swarm optimization is proposed. The binary...     

Multilevel threshold selection for image segmentation using soft computing techniques

Multilevel thresholding is the method applied to segment the given image into unique sub-regions when the gray value distribution of the pixels is not distinct. The segmentation results are affected by factors such as number of threshold and threshold values. Hence, this paper proposes different methods for determining optimal thresholds using optimization techniques namely GA, PSO and hybrid model. Parallel algorithms are also proposed and implemented for these methods to reduce the execution time. From the experimental results, it is inferred that proposed methods take less time for determining the optimal thresholds when compared with existing methods such as Otsu and Kapur methods.     

Site dependent metal adsorption on (3 × 3) h-BN monolayer: Stability, magnetic and optical properties

Cu, Pd and Au metal adatom adsorption on different adsorption sites of graphene analog h-BN monolayer is presented. The results demonstrate that the atop N (A_N) being the most favorable site for Cu while atop B (A_B) for Pd/Au; as well as occurrence of chemisorption is also found in these sites. A general model has been proposed which essentially indicate electronegativity (χ) to be the governing reason regarding the choice of adsorption sites on h-BN sheet in a way such that the adatoms with χ < 2.04 are the most stable on A_N site while adatoms with χ lying in the range 2.04-3.04 are the most stable on A_B site. A detail study regarding magnetic properties reveal 100% spin polarization at Fermi level i.e. half metallic characteristics and 1μ_B/supercell magnetic moment in case of Cu and Au adatom adsorption at the most favorable sites. For Cu adsorbed h-BN system, the half metallic characteristics and strong chemical bonds arise from good hybridization at 0 eV between the outermost 2p orbital of nitrogen and the outermost 4s orbital of copper and at −1.49 eV between Cu 3d and 4s orbital with N 2p orbital. A thorough optical study on the above mentioned systems exhibits evolution/disappearance of different hump/shoulder peaks in the calculated absorption coefficient vs. energy plot which may be useful for experimental identification of the adsorbed systems.     

Better or worse? The role of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in sustainable development: Case studies of remote atoll communities in Kiribati

The Republic of Kiribati, formerly known as the Gilbert Islands, is a Micronesian (One of the three groups of islands in the Pacific. The eight territories that make up Micronesia are Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Territory of Guam and Territory of Wake Island. The other two groups of islands in the Pacific are Melanesia and Polynesia) country in the Pacific. The energy sources utilised in Kiribati include petroleum products, biomass, solar energy and wind power. Solar energy was introduced in Kiribati in the early 1980s (Wade H. Survey of RESCO projects – prepared for OPRET, Fiji Department of Energy, 2003; p. 36). Currently, it makes a very insignificant (less than 1%) contribution to the total annual primary energy supply (South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Pacific Islands Renewable Energy Project (PIREP) – Pacific Regional Energy Assessment (PREA) 2004. Kiribati national report, Vol. 5, 2005). Solar energy in Kiribati is used mostly in the form of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies for the provision of lighting and electricity.This study examines the role of PV technologies in the sustainable development process in Kiribati, with particular reference to remote atoll communities. Initial results from on-site surveys carried out are reported in this paper. These surveys have sought to identify the reasons why people use or do not use PV systems.     

A novel route for the low temperature synthesis of p-type transparent semiconducting CuAlO2

CuAlO₂ is an excellent p-type semiconductor material which usually needs very high temperature for its preparation. In this letter we report a novel synthesis procedure of p-type CuAlO₂ powders through a very convenient chemical process at temperature much lower than needed for conventional solid state reaction method. CuAlO₂ powders were prepared using Cu₂O/CuO and Al₂O₃ powders of appropriate amounts as Cu and Al sources in molten NaOH at 360 °C. The prepared CuAlO₂ powder was phase pure and was characterized by studying X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Novel graphite/TiO2 electrochemical cells as a safe electric energy storage system

A graphite/TiO₂ full cell has been developed as a new safety energy storage system using a highly safety process. The crystal structures of the anatase TiO₂ electrode have been investigated with respect to the performance of the electrodes. Due to the large anion intercalation into the graphite positive electrode, the possible charging potential can be raised to around 5.3 V against the Li/Li⁺ electrode, which is a higher charging voltage than lithium-ion batteries (maximum voltage is around 4.3 V vs. Li/Li⁺). In situ XRD measurements have been carried out on both the cathode and anode electrodes of the graphite/TiO₂ cell during the charge process to elucidate the intercalation mechanism.     

Experimentation-oriented platform for development and evaluation of MANET cross-layer protocols

We introduce a platform that simplifies the development, performance evaluation, and comparison (DEC) of cross-layer protocols for multi-hop ad hoc networks (MANET). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first platform that provides an integrated API for controlling and assessing, on a per-packet basis, the physical layer and MAC/LLC parameters (e.g. frequency channel, power, rate, coding/modulation, fragmentation, number of retransmissions) for IEEE802.11 network interfaces.Today, performance evaluation of wireless mobile ad hoc networks heavily relies on simulation, which is limited in reflecting real environment scenarios due to the channel modeling approximations. Experimental comparisons of protocols in real-world propagation environment are difficult because of limited reproducibility of the channel propagation, environment, and mobility scenarios. We introduce a DEC platform that provides a network virtualization above the physical/link layers. It runs multiple protocols in TDMA-like timeslots guaranteeing an equitable share of the medium, seamless switching between protocols and synchronization between the nodes, all in a transparent fashion to developers. An extensive experimental evaluation demonstrates the usefulness of the platform.