Image watermarking: an evolution to content based approaches

The paper is focused on the evolution of the watermarking schemes from pixel-based approaches to content based methods. Firstly, the field of watermarking is presented, its implication in the real word is outlined. The second section gives a brief overview of different approaches in the spatial and the frequential domain. We then present different content-based approaches used to improve the invisibility or the synchronisation of the mark. The last section describes our content-based scheme; the synchronisation of the mark after image processing lies in the use of feature point detectors. The image is decomposed into a set of triangles and each triangle is individually marked.     

Stand-alone programmable controller for time-critical robotic systems

This paper proposes and describes a new technique in the design and implementation of stand-alone programmable controllers which implement complex control algorithms for complex systems in general and time-critical systems in particular. Unlike other existing commercially available controllers, the proposed controller is capable of implementing all kinds of simple and complex control algorithm techniques such as PIDs, adaptive, optimal, etc. The controller is designed to handle timed events accurately due to the utilization of a new software approach based on Petri net technique as well as the use of an optimized simulation language designed for control and data acquisition applications. The most significant aspects of the proposed controller are its low cost, high speed, and easy implementation. Using the new approach, it is possible to effortlessly and efficiently simulate any controller algorithm and controlled plant, verify results if they meet pre-defined system specifications and then immediately generate and save codes on EPROMs to be placed on the controller board. The proposed controller system consists of a hardware portion and a software package. The software package is written in C and assembly languages and consists of four different programs. A prototype of the proposed controller was designed, constructed and successfully tested to implement various control algorithms. The data obtained suggest that the proposed technique will significantly aid engineers to simplify the task of implementing complex algorithms industry such as robotics.     

Weighted averaging for denoising with overcomplete dictionaries.

We consider the scenario where additive, independent, and identically distributed (i.i.d) noise in an image is removed using an overcomplete set of linear transforms and thresholding. Rather than the standard approach, where one obtains the denoised signal by ad hoc averaging of the denoised estimates provided by denoising with each of the transforms, we formulate the optimal combination as a conditional linear estimation problem and solve it for optimal estimates. Our approach is independent of the utilized transforms and the thresholding scheme, and as we illustrate using oracle-based denoisers, it extends established work by exploiting a separate degree of freedom that is, in general, not reachable using previous techniques. Our derivation of the optimal estimates specifically relies on the assumption that the utilized transforms provide sparse decompositions. At the same time, our work is robust as it does not require any assumptions about image statistics beyond sparsity. Unlike existing work, which tries to devise ever more sophisticated transforms and thresholding algorithms to deal with the myriad types of image singularities, our work uses basic tools to obtain very high performance on singularities by taking better advantage of the sparsity that surrounds them. With well-established transforms, we obtain results that are competitive with state-of-the-art methods.     

IGBA and the national geochemical data bank in the U.K.: Design and systems

The evolution of geochemical data banking in the UK is summarized, and the relation of the IGBA data base to the National Geochemical Data Bank explained. The method of collecting data into IGBA is through authors at the time they are preparing for publication, papers carrying the geochemical information. The data are collected in fixed card image format in hard copy or machine-readable form. The format permits storage and retrieval not only of chemically determined major and trace element contents per sample, but also of the name, sample number, locality, mineral assemblage, petrography, texture, mode of occurrence, degree of alteration, precision of mineralogical and petrographic information, age, isotopic data, analytical procedure and quality control, and if appropriate oceanographic information for ship-borne collected samples. The path of data from the research operator's file to retrievable national data base is described, and an example given.     

Primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma: a case report and review of the literature

We report a case of a 43 years old woman with a retroperitoneal liposarcoma located in the left iliac fossa. The condition was discovered because of the association of left flank pain, abdominal distention and persistent urinary infection with symptoms of vesical irritation. The diagnosis was suggested by intravenous pyelography (IVP), abdominal and pelvic ultrasonography (USG) and computed tomography (CT). Treatment was exclusively surgical. During a six-month follow-up, no recurrence was observed.     

Unusual evolution to immunoblastic lymphoma of a case of Waldenstr?m macroglobulinemia presenting with thrombocytopenia

Family planning practices were reported by 491 married women, aged 15-49, who applied to the Family Planning Centre in Isparta, Turkey. Eighty-four percent of the women used contraception, the IUD being used most frequently. Almost half of the women married before age 18 years.     

Study of a new energy efficient process for French fries production

A new, energy efficient production process for French fries was developed and evaluated. Superheated steam (SHS) was used for evaporation of water instead of pre-drying with air and par-frying with oil. The product was frozen by vacuum cooling. Unfortunately, with this process it was not possible to reach the quality of conventional French fries. Sensory analysis indicated that the main quality defect was a tough crust with a fatty appearance. Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy showed that this was caused by skin formation on the surface during both SHS drying and vacuum cooling. A frying step was necessary to obtain a porous crust. A satisfactory product quality was feasible after drying with SHS instead of air. Due to the concessions made for the product quality, the final energy reduction was limited. Nevertheless, this study has gained more insight into how processing affects potato tissue on micro-scale and it has shown that a porous structure is essential for good quality French fries.     

The influence of annealing on the crystallization and tribological behavior of MWNT/PEEK nanocomposites

In this study, annealing influence on crystallization and scratch behavior of neat and multi‐wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) nanocomposites have been investigated. Crystallization behavior of normal and annealed samples was investigated by using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Scratch behavior of normal and annealed samples was investigated by using micro scratch tester. In DSC analysis, it was detected that, melting enthalpy of annealed neat PEEK was increased sharply when compared to neat PEEK. Melting enthalpies of annealed PEEK nanocomposites prepared with addition of up to 1 wt% MWNT were increased with a decreased trend. However, nanocomposites with higher contents of MWNTs (>1 wt%) were dramatically affected by annealing process and melting enthalpy decreased sharply. Friction coefficient values of “annealed MWNT reinforced PEEK composites” were found to be lower than “normal PEEK composites.” Annealing process affects scratch hardness of both annealed and MWNT reinforced PEEK. Annealed nanocomposites with various MWNT concentrations showed higher scratch hardness values than normal PEEK nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Wake-up receivers for wireless sensor networks: benefits and challenges - [Accepted from open call]

For successful data delivery, the destination nodes should be listening to the medium to receive data when the sender node starts data communication. To achieve this synchronization, there are different rendezvous schemes, among which the most energy-efficient is utilizing wakeup receivers. Current hardware technologies of wake-up receivers enable us to evaluate them as a promising solution for wireless sensor networks. In this article the benefits achieved with wake-up receivers are investigated along with the challenges observed. In addition, an overview of state-of-the-art hardware and networking protocol proposals is presented. As wake-up receivers offer new opportunities, new potential application areas are also presented and discussed.