Faster CNN-based vehicle detection and counting strategy for fixed camera scenes

Automatic detection and counting of vehicles in a video is a challenging task and has become a key application area of traffic monitoring and management. In this paper, an efficient real-time approach for the detection and counting of moving vehicles is presented based on YOLOv2 and features point motion analysis. The work is based on synchronous vehicle features detection and tracking to achieve accurate counting results. The proposed strategy works in two phases; the first one is vehicle detection and the second is the counting of moving vehicles. Different convolutional neural networks including pixel by pixel classification networks and regression networks are investigated to improve the detection and counting decisions. For initial object detection, we have utilized state-of-the-art faster deep learning object detection algorithm YOLOv2 before refining them using K-means clustering and KLT tracker. Then an efficient approach is introduced using temporal information of the detection and tracking feature points between the framesets to assign each vehicle label with their corresponding trajectories and truly counted it. Experimental results on twelve challenging videos have shown that the proposed scheme generally outperforms state-of-the-art strategies. Moreover, the proposed approach using YOLOv2 increases the average time performance for the twelve tested sequences by 93.4% and 98.9% from 1.24 frames per second achieved using Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (F R-CNN ) and 0.19 frames per second achieved using the background subtraction based CNN approach (BS-CNN ), respectively to 18.7 frames per second.

     

Effect of TiO2 and Ta2O5 additions on the electrical properties of Li2CaAl4Si4O16 glass-ceramic

Influence of TiO₂ and Ta₂O₅ on crystallisation for ceramic based on Li–Ca–Al–Si was studied. Sintering of glass-ceramics leads to the formation of β-eucryptite, anorthite and Ca-olivine. These phases are developed only on samples containing TiO₂ and Ta₂O₅. Incorporation of either TiO₂ or Ta₂O₅ gives clear crystals of low pores than in the base sample. Addition of Ta₂O₅ or TiO₂ improves densification properties and reduces sintering temperature. Electrical measurements were done in audio frequency range and lower (90?Hz–100?kHz). Composition changes on electrical properties were examined. Experimental electrical data show that the response of specimens was not simple (not a linear relation). The increase of TiO₂ and Ta₂O₅ generally decreases the electrical properties of the ceramic specimens used in this case. Electrical properties were able to follow and interpret the change in composition. This information was correlated to the internal structure of the samples.     

Thermal,Electrical and Physical Properties of Glasses Based on Basaltic Rocks

Six glass compositions based on basaltic rocks and some industrial wastes, Batches were melted in an electric furnace at temperature 1400 °C for 2 h and then casted into rods and discs shapes. Many important techniques were used in the present study including X- ray fluorescence, thermal expansion, dielectric properties, indentation micro hardness, bending strength, density and chemical durability, The expansion coefficient in the temperature range 25–300 °C lies in the range between 48.78 to 59.76 × 10−7 /°C and the temperatures of Tg started at 668.79 °C and ranging between 668.79–632.34 °C and Ts started at 737 °C and lies in the range and 737–711.6 °C respectively. The lower expansion glasses have higher transition and softening temperatures and vice versa. Bending strength and Vickers micro hardness show a gradual decrease from 118 to 56 MPa and 6120–4020 MPa respectively with increasing cement dust content. In the same time the density increases from 2.79 to 2.96 g/cm3 by increasing cement dust content.     

Multiple-view modelling and meta-modelling of software product lines

A multiple-view modelling and meta-modelling approach for software product lines (SPLs) using the unified modelling language notation is described. A multiple-view model for an SPL defines the different perspectives of the product line, namely the use case model, static model, collaboration model, statechart model and feature model, including the commonality and variability. The meta-model for SPLs depicts the life-cycle phases, views within each phase and meta-classes within each view. The relationships between the different meta-model views are described. Consistency checking rules are specified based on the relationships among meta-classes in the meta-model. These rules, which are specified formally using the object constraint language, are used to resolve inconsistencies between multiple views in the same phase or different phases, and to define allowable mappings between multiple views in different phases. Finally, tool support for the approach is described.     

Diversity Combining and SNR Estimation for Turbo-Coded Frequency-Hopped Spread-Spectrum in Partial-Band Interference and Fading Channels

We compare different combinations of the repetition diversity order L and code rate R for turbo-coded Frequency-Hopped Spread-Spectrum (FH/SS) communication systems in the presence of fading and partial-band Gaussian interference. For a fixed overall channel code rate R/L we show that using the lowest code rate and no repetition diversity always performs better than using a higher code rate and some repetition for both coherent and non-coherent schemes. We then propose a simple maximum-likelihood-based method for signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) estimation in Non-Coherent Binary Frequency Shift Keying (NCBFSK) without training symbols. Except for impractically small hop sizes of 8 bits or less we obtain performance virtually equal to that of perfect SNR knowledge but with much less complexity than iterative schemes previously proposed. For the case of Coherent Binary Phase Shift Keying (CBPSK) we derive the Expectation Maximization (EM) estimate of the SNR without training symbols and iteratively feed the estimator with the extrinsic information from the turbo decoder. The performance for CBPSK is near that of perfect SNR knowledge for hop sizes of 64 bits or more. Unlike previously proposed methods for CBPSK the EM estimate of SNR does not require knowledge of the noise and interference variance, received bit energy, or the fading channel model.

Effect of iron content and annealing temperature on the corrosion behavior of Ni100−xFex

Ni_100–xFe_x metallic glasses have been prepared with 8.5 x 51 using electrodeposition technique. Corrosion behavior of specimens in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ (pH = 6) at 25°C has been studied using potential-time decay, linear polarization resistance and potentiodynamic techniques. Anodic polarization curves show that the specimens exhibit quasi-passive region. The dissolution of samples increases with the increase of iron concentration and also with the increase of annealing temperature. The interpretation was based on the enhanced dissolution of the formed microcrystals of the specimens in the sulphate solution.     

Phase-junction Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite as photocathode for H2 generation

Developing anatase/rutile phase-junction in TiO2 to construct Z-scheme system is quite effective to improve its photoelectrochemical activity.In this work,the anatase/rutile phase-junction Ag/TiO2 nanocomposites are developed as photocathodes for hydrogen production.The optimized Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite achieves a high current density of 1.28 mA cm-2,an incident photon-to-current con-version efficiency(IPCE)of 10.8％,an applied bias photon-to-current efficiency(ABPE)of 0.32 at 390 nm and a charge carriers'lifetime up to 2000s.Such enhancement on photoelectrochemical activity can be attributed to:(i)the generated Z-scheme system in the anatase/rutile phase-junction Ag/TiO2 photocath-ode enhances the separation,diffusion and transformation of electron/hole pairs inside the structure,(ii)Ag nanodots modification in the anatase/rutile phases leading to the tuned band gap with enhanced light absorption and(iii)the formed Schottky barrier after Ag nanodots surface modification provides enough electron traps to avoid the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.Our results here sug-gest that developing phase-junction nanocomposite as photocathode will provide a new vision for their enhanced photoelectrochemical generation of hydrogen.     

A survey of recursive analysis and Moore’s notion of real computation

The theory of analog computation aims at modeling computational systems that evolve in a continuous space. Unlike the situation with the discrete setting there is no unified theory of analog computation. There are several proposed theories, some of them seem quite orthogonal. Some theories can be considered as generalizations of the Turing machine theory and classical recursion theory. Among such are recursive analysis and Moore’s class of recursive real functions. Recursive analysis was introduced by Turing (Proc Lond Math Soc 2(42):230–265, 1936), Grzegorczyk (Fundam Math 42:168–202, 1955), and Lacombe (Compt Rend l’Acad Sci Paris 241:151–153, 1955). Real computation in this context is viewed as effective (in the sense of Turing machine theory) convergence of sequences of rational numbers. In 1996 Moore introduced a function algebra that captures his notion of real computation; it consists of some basic functions and their closure under composition, integration and zero-finding. Though this class is inherently unphysical, much work have been directed at stratifying, restricting, and comparing it with other theories of real computation such as recursive analysis and the GPAC. In this article we give a detailed exposition of recursive analysis and Moore’s class and the relationships between them.     

Cysteine-Functionalized Chitosan Magnetic Nano-Based Particles for the Recovery of Uranium(VI): Uptake Kinetics and Sorption Isotherms

Magnetic-chitosan nanoparticles, functionalized with cysteine, were synthesized and characterized by element analysis, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The sorbent was tested for U(VI) recovery, considering:

• a. pH effect,

• b. sorption isotherms (fitted by Langmuir equation), and

• c. uptake kinetics (modeled using the PSORE).

Maximum sorption capacity approached 100 mg U g^?1. The nanometric size of sorbent reduces the impact of resistance to intraparticle diffusion; this may explain the fast kinetics (equilibrium within 50 min). The reaction is exothermic, spontaneous. The metal could be desorbed using acidified urea solution and the sorbent could be recycled for 5 cycles.     

Bioactive lipids and fatty acids profile of Cistanche phelypaea

Oil extracted from the wild plant of Cistanche phelypaea was analyzed for its fatty acid, sterol, hydrocarbon and tocopherol contents. Total lipids (TL) content was 10?g/kg (on dry weight basis). The majority of fatty acids were of the unsaturated type (50.4?% of total fatty acids), while the saturated (mainly palmitic acid) were about 43.2?% of the total fatty acids. Oleic acid was the dominating fatty acid followed by palmitic and linoleic acids. High amounts of sterols were found in the oil with the main component ??-sitosterol. Other phytosterols (e.g. stigmasterol, ?⁷-avenasterol and ?⁵-avenasterol) were present at approximately equal amounts (6?C9?% of total sterols). The main identified hydrocarbon compounds were C₂₁, C₂₆ and C₃₂ constituting about 61.2?% of total hydrocarbons. Small amounts of C₁₂, C₁₈ and C₂₂, however, were also detected. Tocopherol levels were high in the oil (3.36?g/kg oil), wherein ??-tocopherol was the main component followed by ??-isomer. Both tocopherol components comprised more than 87?% of total vitamin E content in the oil. Furthermore, ??- and ??-tocopherols were detected in small amounts in the oil accounting for 14?C16?% of the total vitamin E content. Information provided by the present work will be of importance for food applications and chemotaxonomy of Cistanche phelypaea.