Histogram thresholding for unsupervised change detection of remote sensing images

The change-detection problem can be viewed as an unsupervised classification problem with two classes corresponding to changed and unchanged areas. Image differencing is a widely used approach to change detection. It is based on the idea of generating a difference image that represents the modulus of the spectral change vectors associated with each pixel in the study area. To separate out the changed and unchanged classes in the difference image automatically, any unsupervised technique can be used. Thresholding is one of the cheapest techniques among them. However, in thresholding approaches, selection of the best threshold value is not a trivial task. In this work, several non-fuzzy and fuzzy histogram thresholding techniques are investigated and compared for the change-detection problem. Experimental results, carried out on different multitemporal remote sensing images (acquired before and after an event), are used to assess the effectiveness of each of the thresholding techniques. Among all the thresholding techniques investigated here, Liu's fuzzy entropy followed by Kapur's entropy are found to be the most robust techniques.     

Neural network-based adaptive multiuser detection schemes in SDMA–OFDM system for wireless application

Neural network applications in adaptive multiuser detection (MUD) schemes are suggested here in the context of space division multiple access–orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system. In this paper, various neural network (NN) models like feed forward network (FFN), recurrent neural network (RNN) and radial basis function network (RBFN) are adopted for MUD. MUD using NN models outperforms other existing schemes like genetic algorithm--assisted minimum bit error rate (MBER) and minimum mean square error MUDs in terms of BER performance and convergence speed. Among these NN models, the FNN MUD performs efficiently as RNN in full load scenario, where the number of users is equal to number of receiving antennas. In overload scenario, where the number of users is more than the number of receiving antennas, the FNN MUD performs better than RNN MUD. Further, the RBFN MUD provides a significant enhancement in performance over FNN and RNN MUDs under both overload and full load scenarios because of its better classification ability due to Gaussian nonlinearity. Extensive simulation analysis considering Stanford University Interim channel models applied for fixed wireless applications shows improvement in convergence speed and BER performance of the proposed NN-based MUD algorithms.     

Rotating bending fatigue response of laser processed porous NiTi alloy

Porous implants are known to promote cell adhesion and have low elastic modulus, a combination that can significantly increase the life of an implant. However, porosity can significantly reduce the fatigue life of porous implants. Very little work has been reported on the fatigue behavior of bulk porous metals, specifically on porous nitinol (NiTi) alloy. In this article, we report high-cycle rotating bending fatigue response of porous NiTi alloys fabricated using Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS?). Samples were characterized in terms of monotonic mechanical properties and microstructural features. Rotating bending fatigue results showed that the presence of 10% porosity in NiTi alloys can decrease the actual fatigue failure stress, at 10⁶ cycles, up to 54% and single reversal failure stress by ~ 30%. From fractographic analysis, it is clear that the effect of surface porosity dominates the rotating bending fatigue failure of porous NiTi samples.     

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.     

Effect of carbon black on properties of rubber nanocomposites

Polymer based nanocomposites were prepared using brominated poly(isobutylene‐co‐paramethylstyrene) (BIMS) rubber and octadecyl amine modified montmorillonite nanoclay. The effect of nature and loading of carbon black on these nanocomposites and the control BIMS was investigated thoroughly using X‐ray diffraction technique (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and mechanical properties. The addition of 4 parts of the modified nanoclay to 20 phr N550 carbon black filled samples increased the tensile strength by 53%. Out of the three different grades of carbon black (N330, N550, and N660), N550 showed the best effect of nanoclay. Optimum results were obtained with the 20 phr filler loading. For comparison, china clay and silica at the same loading were used. Fifty‐six and 46% improvements in tensile strength were achieved with 4 parts of nanoclay added to the silica and the china clay filled samples, respectively. N330 carbon black (20 parts) filled styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) based nanocomposite registered 20% higher tensile strength with 4 parts of the modified nanoclay. In all the above carbon black filled nanocomposites, the modulus was improved in the range of 30 to 125%. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 443–451, 2005     

Ethylene–octene copolymer (engage)–clay nanocomposites: Preparation and characterization

In this work, preparation and properties of nanoclay modified by organic amine (octadecyl amine, a primary amine) and Engage (ethylene–octene copolymer)–clay nanocomposites are reported. The clay and rubber nanocomposites have been characterized with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The X‐ray results suggest that the intergallery spacing of pristine clay increases with the incorporation of the amine. The XRD peak observed in the range of 3–10° for the modified clay also disappears in the rubber nanocomposites at low loading. TEM photographs show exfoliation of the clays in the range of 10–30 nm in Engage. In the FTIR spectra of the nanocomposite, there are common peaks for the virgin rubber as well as those for the clay. Excellent improvement in mechanical properties, like tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus, is observed on incorporation of the nanoclay in Engage. The storage modulus increases, tan δ peak decreases, and the glass transition temperature is shifted to higher temperature. The results could be explained with the help of morphology, dispersion of the nanofiller, and its interaction with the rubber. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 603–610, 2006     

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.     

Engineered porous metals for implants

Interest is significant in patient-specific implants with the possibility of guided tissue regeneration, particularly for load-bearing implants. For such implants to succeed, novel design approaches and fabrication technologies that can achieve balanced mechanical and functional performance in the implants are necessary. This article is focused on porous load-bearing implants with tailored micro-as well as macrostructures using laser-engineered net shaping (LENS™), a solid freeform fabrication or rapid prototyping technique that can be used to manufacture patient-specific implants. This review provides an insight into LENS, some properties of porous metals, and the potential applications of this process to fabricate unitized structures which can eliminate longstanding challenges in load-bearing implants to increase their in-vivo lifetime, such as in a total hip prosthesis.