Multi-focus image fusion by local optimization over sliding windows

This article presents a technique to solve the problem of multi-focus image fusion. This technique is based on the maximization of a linear function with spatial coherence constraints. The final fused image is computed as the sum of the source images using a segmentation map. We can compute the segmentation map using the Simplex method, where the objective function includes one variable associated with each pixel. The Simplex method requires a huge amount of memory resources to produce it. We present an algorithm called CPW-S, which uses some strategies to solve the problem in a context with fewer variables; images are split into regions, thus reducing the computational effort. We present results for two pairs of synthetic images in order to quantify the results, obtaining more than \(98\%\) of pixel accuracy for the segmentation map. We also present results for several pairs of real images (widely used in the literature) and a triad of multi-focus images. The resulting fused images are qualitatively good for all the real images included in the experiments.     

Thin-film silicon-on-sapphire LDMOS structures for RF power amplifier applications

This work is addressed to the investigation of the electro-thermal performance of RF-LDMOS transistors integrated in TF-SOI, TF-SOS and thinned TF-SOS substrates by means of numerical simulations. Reported experimental trap density, carrier mobility and capture cross-section values have been used together with sapphire datasheet thermal properties, in order to provide accurate simulation results. It is found that subthreshold characteristics are the same for all the analysed substrates while blocking-state, on-state and power dissipation process depends on the substrate type.     

Particle-based simulation of the interaction between fluid and knitwear

We present a particle-based method to simulate and visualize the interaction of knitwear with fluids. The knitwear is modeled using spring-mass systems and the fluid is modeled using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method. Two-way coupling is achieved by considering surface tension, capillary, and interparticle forces between the fluid and knitwear. The simulation of fluid and knitwear particles is performed on the graphics processing unit. Photorealistic rendering of knitwear and fluid is achieved by using a hardware-accelerated rasterization-based rendering technique. Our method is able to simulate and visualize the macro- and microstructure of free-form knitwear and reflective and refractive characteristics of the fluid surface.     

Bayesian separation of spectral sources under non-negativity and full additivity constraints

This paper addresses the problem of separating spectral sources which are linearly mixed with unknown proportions. The main difficulty of the problem is to ensure the full additivity (sum-to-one) of the mixing coefficients and non-negativity of sources and mixing coefficients. A Bayesian estimation approach based on Gamma priors was recently proposed to handle the non-negativity constraints in a linear mixture model. However, incorporating the full additivity constraint requires further developments. This paper studies a new hierarchical Bayesian model appropriate to the non-negativity and sum-to-one constraints associated to the sources and the mixing coefficients of linear mixtures. The estimation of the unknown parameters of this model is performed using samples obtained with an appropriate Gibbs algorithm. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated through simulation results conducted on synthetic mixture data. The proposed approach is also applied to the processing of multicomponent chemical mixtures resulting from Raman spectroscopy.     

Reduction of self-heating effect on SOIM devices

The silicon-on-insulator (SOI) power devices have an inherent self-heating effect, which limits their operation at high current levels. This is a consequence of the very low thermal conductivity of the thick buried oxide layer. A novel solution to reduce the self-heating effect is proposed in this paper, based on silicon-over-insulator-multilayer (SOIM) emerging technology. A significant reduction of the insulator layer thermal resistance is achieved while keeping constant the electrical behaviour of integrated power devices in comparison to the conventional SOI counterparts. The effectiveness of the proposed solution has been corroborated with numerical simulations. Moreover, no additional steps in fabrication processes are required with regard to the conventional SOI technology.     

Harmonic reduction in adjustable-speed synchronous motors

Adjustable-speed synchronous motors (ASSM) are very popular in high-power high-speed applications. The Chilean mining industry uses them in milling operations in ranges of several thousands hp. Although a high pulse number for the inverter would be beneficial, it never goes beyond 12, due to complicated connections. Thus, a distorted harmonic-rich current feeds the synchronous motor, increasing the inverter commutation angle and causing additional rotor-heating and pulsating electric torque. Harmonic suppression by filters is not viable due to the variable frequency nature of the motor. In this paper, a new design for the inverter, without complicated circuitry, is proposed, so that it works with 36 pulses and then the motor is fed with a highly sinusoidal current. Also, the same technique is applied to the rectifier end, so that an effective harmonic reduction is carried out at both ends of the system, i.e., the motor as well as the AC supply system. A 20 kVA laboratory development drive system has been built and experimental waveforms for the conventional (12-pulse) and proposed (36-pulse) configurations are included     

Effective viscoelastic behavior of short fibers composites using virtual DMA experiments

Mechanics of Time-Dependent Materials - May it be for environmental or economic reasons, mass reduction has become one of the main goals in mechanics. The short fiber thermoplastics composite is an...     

Overall gloss evaluation in the presence of multiple cues to surface glossiness

Human observers use the information offered by various visual cues when evaluating the glossiness of a surface. Several studies have demonstrated the effect of each single cue to glossiness, but little has been reported on how multiple cues are integrated for the perception of surface gloss. This paper reports on a psychophysical study with real stimuli that are different regarding multiple visual gloss criteria. Four samples were presented to 15 observers under different conditions of illumination in a light booth, resulting in a series of 16 stimuli. Through pairwise comparisons, an overall gloss scale was derived, from which it could be concluded that both differences in the distinctness of the reflected image and differences in luminance affect gloss perception. However, an investigation of the observers' strategy to evaluate gloss indicated a dichotomy among observers. One group of observers used the distinctness-of-image as a principal cue to glossiness, while the second group evaluated gloss primarily from differences in luminance of both the specular highlight and the diffuse background. It could therefore be questioned whether surface gloss can be characterized with one single quantity, or that a set of quantities is necessary to describe the gloss differences between objects.     

Can the dietary element content of virgin argan oils really be used for adulteration detection?

Levels of eight dietary elements were assessed by ICP-AES in virgin edible and beauty argan oil samples prepared from four remote locations of the argan forest, and over a three-year period. The data showed sufficiently little variability to assess that all argan oil samples present, in terms of dietary elements, a similar composition, independently from the tree location within the argan forest. Therefore, adulteration detection by trace element analysis in edible and beauty argan oil is a method that can be generalised.     

Effect of protein concentration, pH, lactose content and pasteurization on thermal gelation of acid caprine whey protein concentrates

The influence of pH (4.5-6.5), sodium chloride content (125-375 mM), calcium chloride content (10-30 mM), protein concentration (70-90 g/l) and lactose content on the gel hardness of goat whey protein concentrate (GWPC) in relation to the origin of the acid whey (raw or pasteurized milk) was studied using a factorial design. Gels were obtained after heat treatment (90 degrees C, 30 min). Gel hardness was measured using texture analyser. Only protein concentration and pH were found to have a statistically significant effect on the gel hardness. An increase in the protein concentration resulted in an increase in the gel hardness. GWPC containing 800g/kg protein formed gels with a hardness maximum at the pHi, whereas GWPC containing 300 g/kg protein did not form true gels. Whey from pasteurized milk formed softer gels than whey from raw milk. A high lactose content (approximately 360 g/kg) also reduced the gelation performance of GWPC.