On the Existence of Epipolar Matrices

This paper considers the foundational question of the existence of a fundamental (resp. essential) matrix given m point correspondences in two views. We present a complete answer for the existence of fundamental matrices for any value of m. We disprove the widely held beliefs that fundamental matrices always exist whenever \(m \le 7\). At the same time, we prove that they exist unconditionally when \(m \le 5\). Under a mild genericity condition, we show that an essential matrix always exists when \(m \le 4\). We also characterize the six and seven point configurations in two views for which all matrices satisfying the epipolar constraint have rank at most one.     

A black hole novelty detector for video analysis

A black hole is a region of space that has so much mass concentrated in it that there is no way training data for a nearby object to escape its gravitational pull. In this paper we are inspired by this phenomenon to create a new form of novelty detector. We consider the of a given class as a black hole. For multi-class data we are dealing with multiple black holes. A test point is pulled by the centroids of different black holes as well as its K nearest neighbours. The gravitational pull is modelled as an iterative process, where the forces acting on a point are constantly changing with time as the test point moves in multi-dimensional space corresponding to these forces. Once the algorithm has converged, a thresholding scheme is applied to determine whether the test point has been pulled within the boundary of the black hole or not. Any points that lie outside all known black holes are deemed to be novel. We compare this novelty detector with other well-known models of novelty detection on a video analysis application and show very promising results.     

Characterization of the repeat-tract instability and mutator phenotypes conferred by a Tn3 insertion in RFC1, the large subunit of the yeast clamp loader

The RFC1 gene encodes the large subunit of the yeast clamp loader (RFC) that is a component of eukaryotic DNA polymerase holoenzymes. We identified a mutant allele of RFC1 (rfc1::Tn3) from a large collection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants that were inviable when present in a rad52 null mutation background. Analysis of rfc1::Tn3 strains indicated that they displayed both a mutator and repeat-tract instability phenotype. Strains bearing this allele were characterized in combination with mismatch repair (msh2Delta, pms1Delta), double-strand break repair (rad52), and DNA replication (pol3-01, pol30-52, rth1Delta/rad27Delta) mutations in both forward mutation and repeat-tract instability assays. This analysis indicated that the rfc1::Tn3 allele displays synthetic lethality with pol30, pol3, and rad27 mutations. Measurement of forward mutation frequencies in msh2Delta rfc1:Tn3 and pms1Delta rfc1:Tn3 strains indicated that the rfc1::Tn3 mutant displayed a mutation frequency that appeared nearly multiplicative with the mutation frequency exhibited by mismatch-repair mutants. In repeat-tract instability assays, however, the rfc1::Tn3 mutant displayed a tract instability phenotype that appeared epistatic to the phenotype displayed by mismatch-repair mutants. From these data we propose that defects in clamp loader function result in DNA replication errors, a subset of which are acted upon by the mismatch-repair system.     

A smart manufacturing adoption framework for SMEs

Smart Manufacturing (SM) a revolutionary paradigm that aims to improve production systems’ performance in terms of quality, time, cost, and flexibility, as well as human and machine decision-making capabilities. Most large enterprises have already taken first steps towards adopting SM. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) on the other hand, are struggling with developing a SM adoption roadmap. Our research builds on the real and perceived needs and challenges faced by manufacturing SMEs and advances the field by developing and evaluating an SME-specific ‘SM adoption framework’. We have employed a multiple case study approach to acknowledge the lessons learned by selected early-adopter SMEs that have recently implemented and deployed SM tools and practices. We propose an SM adoption framework with five vital steps that SMEs interested in SM should follow: (i) identify manufacturing data available within the SME, (ii) readiness assessment of the SME data-hierarchy steps, (iii) developing SM awareness of SME leadership and staff, (iv) develop a SM tailored vision for the SMEs, and (v) identify appropriate SM tools and practices necessary to realise the tailored SM vision. Moreover, the results of the case study analysis enabled us to formulate many generalisations.     

A framework combining meshfree analysis and adaptive kriging for optimization of stiffened panels

Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization - A framework is developed for structural optimization using an Element Free Galerkin (EFG) method for analyzing the structure, a kriging for surrogate...     

Techno-economic analysis and a novel assessment technique of paper mill sludge conversion to bioethanol toward sustainable energy production

A novel bioprocess design to convert paper mill sludge (PMS) to biofuels is proposed in this work. The design utilizes cellulosic fiber recovered from the PMS via optimized de-ashing (HCl washing) step. This work specifically provided a technical and economic analysis of paper mill sludge conversion into biofuel production using a novel protocol. The protocol is based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis to assess the quality of the contained cellulose prior to further processing. The results are crucially important to determine the suitability of the PMS feedstock to produce biofuels. SEM analysis was employed as a preliminary screening tool to evaluate sludge digestibility and conversion. The SEM characterization technique established a direct relationship between the fiber morphology, presence of crystals salts and sugar yield after enzymatic hydrolysis. Substantial structural changes were observed before and after de-ashing the sludge samples, leading to a correlation between the surface morphology and the washing step. The results suggested that de-ashing changes the surface morphology and upon analysis, increased the sugar yield up to about 86% as opposed to 2.2% in sludge sample A as an example. The PMS conversion into biofuel was simulated using Aspen PLUS and compared to a similar process using corn stover as feedstock. The simulation results showed it is 20% cheaper to produce bioethanol from PMS compared to corn stover. The simulation revealed less energy demand by around 13 320 MJ/h compared to that when corn stover was used.     

An overview of global climate changing in current scenario and mitigation action

Climate changing is a global threat to the world. There are so many reasons behind this problem. One of the major reasons is carbon emissions in atmosphere. The causes for this global threat are many, among them GHG (green house gas emission) is one of them. Also deforestation, land use change, sulfate aerosol and black carbon are the other major reason leading to the ozone layer depletion and changing climate.Due to the carbon emission atmosphere is being polluted and also so many disasters happen routinely. Atmosphere is getting hot day by day. Due to this unnatural and sudden temperature rise, glaciers are melting, so sudden flash floods occur. Agricultural sector is also suffering due to the global warming effects. This will also affect the productivity of grains world wide. Climate changing increases land and as well as sea temperature and alters precipitation quantity and patterns. As a result increasing the global average sea level, risk of coastal erosions, etc. climate change will be an added stress for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Effects will also be severe on coasts and marine ecosystems. Extreme events like drought, flood may also happen due to these impacts. This paper elaborately present the current situation of climate changing and the causes of its vulnerable effects, also the mitigation action of climate changing are also discussed.     

Editorial

Pattern Analysis and Applications -     

Sorptive storage of natural gas onto dry and wet phillipsite: Study of dynamics,storage and delivery

In this work, storage of methane on phillipsite, a naturally occurring zeolite, was studied on wet and dry basis. The temperature and pressure dynamics were investigated. The temperature gradient due to the adsorption of methane on phillipsite was less than 1 °C indicating higher thermal conductivity of this material. A decreased in temperature resulted in higher adsorption capacity. Storage of methane onto phillipsite can be enhanced by wetting the bed and thus hydrate formation. The time needed to reach equilibrium depends strongly on the water content of the adsorbent. The results revealed that the total delivery capacities for dry and wet phillipsite were 32.5 V/V and 74.13 V/V, respectively. A maximum delivery capacity of 138 V/V was reached using wet phillipsite with 350 g water content. The volumetric delivery capacity results indicated that the steady state delivery is more realistic for adsorptive natural gas (ANG) systems.