Distance transform for images represented by quadtrees

The concept of distance used in binary array representations of images is adapted to a quadtree representation. The chessboard distance metric is shown to be particularly suitable for the quadtree. A chessboard distance transform for a quadtree is defined as the minimum distance in the plane from each BLACK node to the border of a WHiTE node. An algorithm is presented which computes this transform by only examining the BLACK node's adjacent and abutting neighbors and their progeny. However, unlike prior work with quadtrees, computation of the distance transform requires a capability of finding neighbors in the diagonal direction rather than merely in the horizontal and vertical directions. The algorithm's average execution time is proportional to the number of leaf nodes in the quadtree.     

An Auto-correlation Function Based Technique for Discrimination of Internal Fault and Magnetizing Inrush Current in Power Transformers

Abstract—This article presents an efficient method for discriminating magnetizing inrush and internal fault currents in three-phase transformers based on the auto-correlation function. For each phase, the auto-correlation function of the differential current is calculated for a specified range of lags. Their standard deviation is determined in the next step. Criterion function is simply defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum of the auto-correlation function lags standard deviations for the three phases. Performance of the proposed method is evaluated and compared with eight well-known methods by a large number of simulation and experimental data, covering different cases. The results confirm that the proposed technique is more efficient than the other methods from speed response, reliability, and accuracy points of view. To eliminate the current transformer saturation impact on the performance of the method, the currents are compensated by a current transformer saturation correction algorithm. Also, the proposed algorithm is evaluated in the case of a transformer that is fed through a feeder with series capacitors.     

Application of TSVR algorithm in 5G mmWave indoor networks

A robust algorithm based on Twin Support Vector Regression and discrete wavelet transform applied to millimetric wave (mmWave) channel prediction is proposed in this work. The 60 GHz band is appropriate for small-scale high-speed data transmission applications in future 5G indoor network solutions. The experimentation takes place in an enclosed complex conference room setting with furniture and computer equipment. The proposed algorithm is applied to mmWave multipath channel with higher order modulation scheme with receiver sensitivity thresholds being ? 80 dBm, ? 90 dBm, ? 100 dBm and ? 110 dBm corresponding to 41, 89, 195 and 250 paths, respectively. The Channel Impulse Response of 60 GHz multipath wireless system is generated by the “Wireless InSite” ray tracer by Remcom. Compared to other traditional algorithms, numeric experiments confirm the effectiveness of the proposed solution under several multipath configurations.

     

Bond strength of repaired composite resins: surface treatments,adhesive systems,and composite type

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of three different surface treatments and two different adhesives on the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of repaired composites using the same or different type of resin. Twenty-four nano-hybrid (Ceram X mono-C) and 24 nanofilled (Filtek Ultimate-F) composite discs were prepared. The specimens were aged with 5000 thermocycles and randomly divided into groups according to the surface treatment methods: (a) phosphoric acid (b) Er:YAG laser and (c) aluminum trioxide particle (air abrasion). Fresh composite resins (C and F) were added to the treated surfaces with two different adhesives (two-step and one-step self-etch adhesives). Then, the specimens were aged again. The stick-shaped specimens were prepared from the discs (n = 25) and the sticks were subjected to the μTBS test. Results indicated that significant differences were found in μTBS values among the surface treatment methods. In the C groups, the highest μTBS value (41.3 ± 8.3 MPa) was recorded in the air abrasion and one-step self-etch adhesive group, which were repaired with the same kind of composite. In the F groups, the highest μTBS value was observed in the air abrasion and one-step self-etch adhesive (37.6 ± 12.3 MPa) group. The treatment with air abrasion is more effective than the others, and it may be suggested for composite repair.     

Ferritin expression after in vitro exposures of human alveolar macrophages to silica is iron-dependent

OBJECTIVE: Sleep State Misperception insomnia has been commonly viewed as a perceptual or psychological problem. It was hypothesized that Sleep State Misperception insomnia, like psychophysiological insomnia, could be associated with increased physiological activation, here indexed by whole body metabolic rate. METHOD: Groups of nine patients with Sleep State Misperception insomnia and age-, sex-, and weight-matched normal sleepers were evaluated on sleep, performance, mood, personality, and metabolic measures over a 36-hour sleep laboratory stay. RESULTS: Sleep State Misperception insomniacs had a subjective history of poor sleep and perceived their laboratory sleep as poor but had electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters that did not differ statistically from matched normal controls. Sleep State Misperception insomniacs had abnormal MMPI values and were subjectively more confused, tense, depressed, and angry than matched normals. Sleep State Misperception insomniacs also had a significantly increased 24-hour metabolic rate, compared with matched normals. CONCLUSIONS: The overall increase in whole body oxygen use was less than that seen in psychophysiological insomniacs but was consistent with the view that Sleep State Misperception insomnia may be a mild version or a precursor to psychophysiological insomnia.     

MAGELLAN: Map Acquisition of GEographic Labels by Legend ANalysis

A system named MAGELLAN (denoting Map Acquisition of GEographic Labels by Legend ANalysis) is described that utilizes the symbolic knowledge found in the legend of the map to drive geographic symbol (or label) recognition. MAGELLAN first scans the geographic symbol layer(s) of the map. The legend of the map is located and segmented. The geographic symbols (i.e., labels) are identified, and their semantic meaning is attached. An initial training set library is constructed based on this information. The training set library is subsequently used to classify geographic symbols in input maps using statistical pattern recognition. User interaction is required at first to assist in constructing the training set library to account for variability in the symbols. The training set library is built dynamically by entering only instances that add information to it. MAGELLAN then proceeds to identify the geographic symbols in the input maps automatically. MAGELLAN can be fine-tuned by the user to suit specific needs. Recognition rates of over 93% were achieved in an experimental study on a large amount of data. Received January 5, 1998 / Revised March 18, 1998     

A new region expansion for quadtrees

A one-pass algorithm that performs region expansion in images represented by quadtrees is presented. The algorithm changes to black those white pixels within a specified distance of any black mode in the image. The algorithm yields a significant improvement over previous approaches by reducing both the number of black nodes that must be considered for expansion and the number of nodes that must be inserted as a result of the expansion. The reductions are achieved by introducing the concepts of a merging cluster and a vertex set. Empirical tests show that the execution time of this algorithm generally decreases as the radius of expansion increases, whereas in previous approaches the execution time generally increased with the radius of expansion