Big data analytics for video surveillance

This article addresses the usage and scope of Big Data Analytics in video surveillance and its potential application areas. The current age of technology provides the users, ample opportunity to generate data at every instant of time. Thus in general, a tremendous amount of data is generated every instant throughout the world. Among them, amount of video data generated is having a major share. Education, healthcare, tours and travels, food and culture, geographical exploration, agriculture, safety and security, entertainment etc., are the key areas where a tremendous amount of video data is generated every day. A major share among it are taken by the daily used surveillance data captured from the security purpose camera and are recorded everyday. Storage, retrieval, processing, and analysis of such gigantic data require some specific platform. Big Data Analytics is such a platform, which eases this analysis task. The aim of this article is to investigate the current trends in video surveillance and its applications using Big Data Analytics. It also aims to focus on the research opportunities for visual surveillance in Big Data frameworks. We have reported here the state-of-the-art surveillance schemes for four different imaging modalities: conventional video scene, remotely sensed video, medical diagnostics, and underwater surveillance. Several works were reported in this research field over recent years and are categorized based on the challenges solved by the researchers. A list of tools used for video surveillance using Big Data framework is presented. Finally, research gaps in this domain are discussed.

     

Parametric design optimization of 2-DOF R–R planar manipulator—A design of experiment approach

This work illustrates simulation approach for optimizing the parametric design and performance of a 2-DOF R–R planar manipulator. Using dynamic and kinematic models of a manipulator different performance measures for the manipulator are obtained for different combination of parameters with effect of noise incorporated to imitate the real time performance of the manipulator. A novel approach has been proposed to model, the otherwise difficult to model, noise effects. The data generated during simulation for various parameter combinations are utilized to analyze the statistical significance of kinematic and dynamic parameters on performance of manipulator using ANOVA technique. The parameter combinations, which give optimum performance measures obtained for different points in workspace, are compared and reported.     

Separation and recovery of neodymium and praseodymium from permanent magnet scrap through the hydrometallurgical route

The leaching of neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium from scrap permanent magnet bearing 64.37% Fe, 30.57% Nd and 0.42% Pr and 0.71% B was carried out using HCl solution. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses study ensured the elements of the above metals as Nd-Fe-B in the solid phase . The leaching parameters – HCl concentration, time, temperature, particle size, pulp density (S/L) – were investigated to obtain the suitable leaching condition for the effective dissolution of both Nd and Pr. At the conditions of 0.2 M HCl, temperature 90°C, leaching time 240 min, particle size 76–105 µm, agitation speed 800 rpm and pulp density (PD) 1%, the leaching efficiencies of Nd and Fe were 99.99% and 61.36%, respectively. The optimum leaching condition was established by minimizing iron co-extraction vis-à-vis the quantitative recovery of Nd and Pr. The iron content of the leach liquor was removed by the precipitation method using lime (Ca(OH)₂) at pH 4.0. After the removal of iron, the solvent extraction (SX) parameters were optimized and the McCabe–Thiele diagram for extraction and stripping was developed. The McCabe–Thiele plot for extraction with 0.8 M NaD2EHPA (30% neutralized) and stripping with 8% H₂SO₄ showed two stages at A:O = 2:1 and O: A = 4:1, respectively, for the quantitative recovery of Nd and Pr. The final strip solution bearing 72 g/L Nd and 1.088 g/L Pr was crystallized to produce (Nd) ₂(SO₄)₃ and (Pr) ₂(SO₄)₃, respectively.     

Development and characterization of single wire-arc-plasma sprayed coatings of nickel on carbon blocks and alumina tube substrates

A single wire-arc-plasma spray torch has been used to develop metal coatings on carbon and alumina substrates under argon atmosphere for various applications. Nickel coatings of around 1 mm thickness have been deposited on selected area (60 mm × 200 mm on each side) of large size carbon blocks by intermittent arc spraying and cooling to reduce thermal stresses and possibility of coating de-lamination from the base substrate. The same process is also used for depositing about 3 mm thick nickel metal coatings (8 mm dia. × 40 mm long) on alumina tubes for developing electrical feed throughs. The nickel coated alumina tubes were tested for the vacuum compatibility of the coated material with the base tube. The coated assemblies could withstand vacuum of the order of 1 × 10^− 6 Torr and the leak rate was found to be less than 1 × 10^− 9 Std. cc/s for Helium gas, indicating excellent bonding of the coated metal with alumina ceramics and no connected open porosity in the coatings. X-ray diffraction studies were conducted for identifying the phases and the optical microscope with image analysis technique was used for studying the microstructure and porosity in the coatings.     

Mechanistic interpretation of electrochemical behaviour of galvannealing coating in saline environment

A comparative study on galvannealed (GA) and galvanised plain-skin passed (GP-SP) coatings was carried out to evaluate coating microstructures, the corrosion resistance and electrochemical behaviour in 3.5% NaCl solution. The corrosion resistance behaviour of GA coating was found to be superior compared to GP-SP coating. The Fe-Zn intermetallic phases formed in GA coating provided galvanic protection i.e., a cell reaction between Fe and Zn within a single phase. This gives rise to protective potential plateau and are believed to be responsible for the electrochemical polarisation resulting in sluggish corrosion reaction kinetics, thereby reducing the corrosion rate significantly after prolonged exposure in saline environment. It was also observed from the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study that the coating capacitance (C_c) decreased and polarisation resistance (R_p) increased with exposure time indicating a continuous charge transfer reaction across the coating and electrolyte interface. Although the corrosion potential of both coatings increased towards more noble direction with exposure time, it was observed that the potential for GA coatings was always nobler than GP-SP coating as E_corr shifted towards more positive potential corresponding to a flat potential band of −850 ± 20 mV.     

Tolerance design of robot parameters using Taguchi method

A robotic arm must be able to manipulate objects with high accuracy and repeatability. As with every physical system, there are number of noise factors cause uncertainty in the performance. A probabilistic approach has been used to model, the otherwise difficult to model, noise effects. This paper presents the approach utilised in selection of tolerance specification of robot kinematic and dynamic parameters using experimental design technique for reduction of performance variations. The concept of inner and outer orthogonal arrays proposed by Taguchi is employed to identify the significant parameters and select the optimal tolerance range. The performance measure, i.e. signal-to-noise ratio is utilised to validate by Monte Carlo simulations and to complement above study individual parameter tolerance sensitivity are investigated. To provide insight to investigation, parameter sensitivity maps are plotted. The tolerance specification selection methodology of a manipulator is illustrated by taking 2-DOF RR planar manipulator with payload.     

Performance of amplify forward and decode forward cooperative strategies for body surface communications in UWB Body Area Networks

Body area networks (BAN) are being developed for telemonitoring of patients. Ultra wideband (UWB) is the most preferred choice for the physical layer of the BAN as it provides high data rate at low power consumption along with a simple transceiver structure. But because of high fading characteristics of the human body channel, the range of UWB will be limited, and a reliable communication cannot be guaranteed. In that case, cooperative communications may be applied to BAN for improving system performance and link quality. The paper proposes a novel approach by applying amplify and forward, and decode and forward cooperative relaying strategies with maximal ratio combining for BAN. The performance of single relay AF and DF relaying have been compared with direct transmission. Further, the efficacy of the proposed strategies has been validated by transmitting electrocardiogram signals and magnetic resonance imaging images. Simulations and validations have been carried out on Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers designated CM3 channel model for BAN designed from real time measurements data. A signal‐to‐noise ratio gain of at least 3 dB is clearly observed from simulation results. Thus, transmit power requirement can be minimized, which in turn improves the battery life of body sensor nodes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reliable communication in UWB body area networks using multiple hybrid relays

Body area networks (BANs) are wireless networks around the human body. Ultra-wideband (UWB) is one of the most preferred candidates for the physical layer of BAN. However, the attenuation due to human body tissues and the movement of body parts with respect to each other causes severe attenuation and limits the range of UWB. Hence, new and novel methods are required to improve communications in UWB BAN. The paper proposes, hybrid amplify forward and decode forward relays for communication in body area networks. Scenarios in the presence of multiple relays for both body surface and body surface to external models have been taken into consideration. The performance has been tested using IEEE 802.15 task group 6 designated channel models developed from real-time measurements. The findings from the analytical as well as simulation-based study indicate that hybrid relaying provides a versatile performance, and improves the reliability of the communication link by decreasing the bit error rate. The performance has been further validated by the transmission of medical magnetic resonance images. The results indicate that hybrid relaying has the best performance, and it can undoubtedly improve the reliability of the body area networks.     

Endogenous implementation of technology gap in energy optimization models—a systematic analysis within TIMES G5 model

Evaluation of global diffusion potential of learning technologies and their timely specific cost development across regions is always a challenging issue for the future technology policy preparation. Further the process of evaluation gains interest especially by endogenous treatment of energy technologies under uncertainty in learning rates with technology gap across the regions in global regional cluster learning approach. This work devised, implemented, and examined new methodologies on technology gaps (a practical problem), using two broad concepts of knowledge deficit and time lag approaches in global learning, applying the floor cost approach methodology. The study was executed in a multi-regional, technology-rich and long horizon bottom-up linear energy system model on The Integrated MARKAL EFOM System (TIMES) framework. Global learning selects highest learning technologies in maximum uncertainty of learning rate scenario, whereas any form of technology gap retards the global learning process and discourages the technologies deployment. Time lag notions of technology gaps prefer heavy utilization of learning technologies in developed economies for early reduction of specific cost. Technology gaps of any kind should be reduced among economies through the promotion and enactment of various policies by governments, in order to utilize the technological resources by mass deployment to combat ongoing climate change.