Robust Visual Tracking via Structured Multi-Task Sparse Learning

In this paper, we formulate object tracking in a particle filter framework as a structured multi-task sparse learning problem, which we denote as Structured Multi-Task Tracking (S-MTT). Since we model particles as linear combinations of dictionary templates that are updated dynamically, learning the representation of each particle is considered a single task in Multi-Task Tracking (MTT). By employing popular sparsity-inducing $\ell _{p,q}$ mixed norms $(\text{ specifically} p\in \{2,\infty \}$ and $q=1),$ we regularize the representation problem to enforce joint sparsity and learn the particle representations together. As compared to previous methods that handle particles independently, our results demonstrate that mining the interdependencies between particles improves tracking performance and overall computational complexity. Interestingly, we show that the popular $L_1$ tracker (Mei and Ling, IEEE Trans Pattern Anal Mach Intel 33(11):2259–2272, 2011) is a special case of our MTT formulation (denoted as the $L_{11}$ tracker) when $p=q=1.$ Under the MTT framework, some of the tasks (particle representations) are often more closely related and more likely to share common relevant covariates than other tasks. Therefore, we extend the MTT framework to take into account pairwise structural correlations between particles (e.g. spatial smoothness of representation) and denote the novel framework as S-MTT. The problem of learning the regularized sparse representation in MTT and S-MTT can be solved efficiently using an Accelerated Proximal Gradient (APG) method that yields a sequence of closed form updates. As such, S-MTT and MTT are computationally attractive. We test our proposed approach on challenging sequences involving heavy occlusion, drastic illumination changes, and large pose variations. Experimental results show that S-MTT is much better than MTT, and both methods consistently outperform state-of-the-art trackers.     

Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery Systems

Mucoadhesion in drug delivery systems has recently gained interest among pharmaceutical scientists as a means of promoting dosage form residence time as well as improving intimacy of contact with various absorptive membranes of the biological system. Besides acting as platforms for sustained-release dosage forms, bioadhesive polymers can themselves exert some control over the rate and amount of drug release, and thus contribute to the therapeutic advantage of such systems. This paper describes some aspects of bioadhesion such as mucus layer, mucoadhesion, and theories of bioadhesion to explain the adhesion mechanism. The factors important to mucoadhesion, the methods used to study bioadhesion, and bioadhesive polymers are described. The methods that evaluate the mucoadhesive dosage forms and finally the bioadhesive drug delivery systems designed for several therapeutic purposes are presented.     

Preparation and dielectric properties of La doped NBCCTO ceramics

Journal of Electroceramics - CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics have great dielectric constant, excellent temperature stability and good frequency stability. However, due to high dielectric loss, its practical...     

Water absorption and antimicrobial behavior of physically cross linked poly (vinyl alcohol)/carrageenan films loaded with minocycline

In the present study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Carrageenan(Car) composite films have been prepared by ionic cross-linking of the two polymers with Borax (Bx) and K⁺ ions, respectively, in aqueous medium at room temperature. The films were characterized by FTIR, SEM, TGA, and AFM analysis. The equilibrium percent swelling (EPS) of PVA/Carr films, so produced, exhibited negative dependence on the amount of cross-linkers. A detailed investigation of their water absorption and moisture permeation behavior has been carried out. The films showed non-thrombogenic and non-cytotoxic behaviors. Finally, drug minocycline-loaded films showed excellent antimicrobial behavior.     

Reconfiguration models and algorithms for stateful interactiveprocesses

We present new results in the area of reconfiguration of stateful interactive processes in the presence of faults. More precisely, we consider a set of servers/processes that have the same functionality, i.e., are able to perform the same tasks and provide the same set of services to their clients. In the case when several of them turn out to be faulty, we want to reconfigure the system so that the clients of the faulty servers/processes are served by some other, fault-free, servers of the system in a way that is transparent to all the system clients. We propose a novel method for reconfiguring in the presence of faults: compensation paths. Compensation paths are an efficient way of shifting spare resources from where they are available to where they are needed. We also present optimal and suboptimal simple reconfiguration algorithms of low polynomial time complexity O(nmlog(n²/m)) for the optimal and O(m) for the suboptimal algorithms, where n is the number of processes and m is the number of primary-backup relationships. The optimal algorithms compute the way to reconfigure the system whenever the reconfiguration is possible. The suboptimal algorithms may sometimes fail to reconfigure the system, although reconfiguration would be possible by using the optimal centralized algorithms. However, suboptimal algorithms have other competitive advantages over the centralized optimal algorithms with regard to time complexity and communication overhead     

Synthesis and compressive behavior of Cr2GeC up to 48 GPa

M_n+1AX_n compounds have gathered huge momentum because of its exciting properties. In this paper we report the synthesis of ternary layered ceramic Cr₂GeC, a 211 M_n+1AX_n compound by hot-pressing. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction have been employed to characterize the new synthesized phase. High-pressure compressibility of Cr₂GeC were measured using diamond anvil cell and synchrotron radiation at room temperature up to 48 GPa. No phase transformation was observed in the experimental pressure range. The bulk modulus of Cr₂GeC calculated using the Birch–Murnaghan equation of state is 169 ± 3 GPa, with K′ = 3.05 ± 0.15.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of polyacrylamide grafted co-polymers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mimosa</Emphasis> mucilage

Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the microwave-assisted graft co-polymerization of acrylamide on Mimosa pudica seed mucilage. The effect of variables, microwave power and time of exposure, concentrations of acrylamide, mucilage and ammonium persulfate on grafting efficiency of graft co-polymerization was screened using Plackett–Burman experimental design. The results revealed that the concentration of acrylamide and mucilage are the most significant variables, which were further optimized using, a central composite design. A second-order polynomial equation fitted to the data was used to predict the response in the optimal region. The optimal grafting parameters provided graft co-polymer with grafting efficiency close to the predicted values. The proposed mathematical model is found to be robust and accurate for graft co-polymerization of acrylamide and Mimosa mucilage consistent with goals of maximizing grafting efficiency. The results of FT-IR, DSC, XRD, and SEM studies confirmed the formation of graft co-polymer of acrylamide and Mimosa mucilage.     

A circularly polarized printed elliptical wide-slot antenna with high bandwidth-dimension-ratio for wireless applications

Wireless Networks - This paper outlines a simple design of a compact wideband microstrip-line fed antenna having two rotated elliptical wide-slots (EWSs). Here, both the elliptical wide-slots are...     

Synthesis and evaluation of ciprofloxacin-loaded carboxymethyl tamarind kernel polysaccharide nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is currently employed as a tool to fight more efficiently against human pathogens. Nanoparticles can be prepared from a variety of materials such as protein, biodegradable polymers and synthetic polymers. Tamarindus indica Linn. or tamarind is one of the most important biodegradable polymer. In the present study, chemically modified polymer of tamarind ‘carboxymethyl tamarind kernel polysaccharide’ (CMTKP) is used for the synthesis of nanoparticulate formulation. Antibacterial activity of CMTKP was analysed which was then enhanced by incorporating a flouroquinolone antibiotic, ciprofloxacin to it. Ciprofloxacin-loaded CMTKP nanoparticles were synthesised via ionotropic gelation technique. Nanosuspension so formed was lyophilised by addition of a cryoprotectant. Nanoparticles obtained were characterised for its particle size, morphology and stability. Interaction studies were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Antibacterial activities of ciprofloxacin, CMTKP and ciprofloxacin-loaded CMTKP nanoparticles were tested against two Gram negative and positive bacteria. The antibacterial assay results revealed greatest zone of inhibition by ciprofloxacin-loaded CMTKP nanoparticles in Micrococcus luteus. Toxicity analysis of the prepared formulation was carried out on vero cell lines via resazurin assay which revealed its minimum toxicity.