Fast super-resolution algorithm using rotation-invariant ELBP classifier and hierarchical pattern matching

This paper proposes a fast super-resolution (SR) algorithm using content-adaptive two-dimensional (2D) finite impulse response (FIR) filters based on a rotation-invariant classifier. The proposed algorithm consists of a learning stage and an inference stage. In the learning stage, we cluster a sufficient number of low-resolution (LR) and high-resolution (HR) patch pairs into a specific number of groups using the rotation-invariant classifier, and choose a specific number of dominant clusters. Then, we compute the optimal 2D FIR filter(s) to synthesize a high-quality HR patch from an LR patch per cluster, and finally store the patch-adaptive 2D FIR filters in a dictionary. Also, we present a smart hierarchical addressing method for effective dictionary exploration in the inference stage. In the inference stage, the ELBP of each input LR patch is extracted in the same way as the learning stage, and the best matched FIR filter(s) to the input LR patch is found from the dictionary by the hierarchical addressing. Finally, we synthesize the HR patch by using the optimal 2D FIR filter. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm produces better HR images than the existing SR methods, while providing fast running time.     

The reliability of distributed solar in critical peak demand: A capital value assessment

Generation is most valuable when demand is highest. As electricity can't yet be cheaply stored, generation and transmission infrastructure must be built to meet the highest expected demand, plus a margin of error. Reliably producing power at times of critical demand not only offsets the need to use expensive liquid fuels such as diesel or condensate, but also removes the need to build backup power stations and transmission infrastructure that would only be used for a small fraction of the year. Under the most extreme demand conditions, solar has reduced the peak demand seen by retailers and wholesale energy markets. This study compares the capital cost of critical peak availability from gas turbines to the capital cost of critical peak availability from distributed solar in the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM). When compared on this basis, 10–22% of the cost of installing the solar system can be attributed to the capital value of critical peak generation. North–west and west facing PV is worth a further 3–6% of system installation costs when compared to generally north facing PV. Finally, southern states, with longer summer days and more sunshine in the afternoon are found to benefit more from peak supply of solar PV.     

Ethanolysis of waste cottonseed oil over lithium impregnated calcium oxide: Kinetics and reusability studies

A series of Li/CaO catalysts has been prepared by impregnating 0.5–5.0 wt% Li in CaO by wet chemical method. Prepared Li/CaO catalysts have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area studies, in order to establish the structure and surface morphology of the catalyst. Hammett indicator test study was performed to determine the basic strength of the Li/CaO catalysts. The prepared Li/CaO catalysts have been employed as a heterogeneous catalyst for the transesterification of waste cottonseed oil (having 2.8 wt% free fatty acid contents) with ethanol. Under optimal reaction conditions viz., ethanol/oil molar ratio of 12:1, catalyst to oil weight fraction of 5% and 65 °C reaction temperature, 98% fatty acid ethyl ester yield was obtained in 2.5 h of reaction duration. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the pseudo first order constant and Arrhenius activation energy were found to be 0.03 min⁻¹ and 70.0 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Further Li/CaO catalyst was also found to be effective for the ethanolysis and methanolysis of vegetable oils having up to 3.4 wt% free fatty acids. The use of 3-Li/CaO catalyst is advantageous considering that it not only utilizes waste cottonseed oil as a feedstock, but also renewable and nontoxic alcohol, ethanol, for the biodiesel production.     

Real time loop-mediated isothermal amplification using a portable fluorescence scanner for rapid and simple detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

We evaluated the usefulness of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) using a portable ESE Quant tube scanner as a rapid and simple method for the detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, an important pathogen causing seafood-borne gastroenteritis. The real time LAMP (RT-LAMP) assay using a hemolysin gene (tlh/ldh)-specific primers was verified using V. parahaemolyticus strains (n = 91) from different countries and other non-target strains to check the utility of this method. Both the sensitivity and specificity of the RT-LAMP using 3 pairs of tlh/ldh-specific primers developed in this study were excellent (100%). The detection limit of the RT-LAMP was as low as 7 Colony forming unit per reaction and detection time was only 20 min. Comparative evaluation of the target bacterial strains with the RT-LAMP using ESE Quant tube scanner, API 20E system and conventional RT-PCR method revealed that the RT-LAMP assay developed in this study is simpler and more rapid than the latter two methods. Therefore, the RT-LAMP method using the easily portable ESE Quant tube scanner can be considered as an effective tool for the rapid screening of V. parahaemolyticus strains in environmental and clinical samples, especially, in remote areas of developing countries during epidemic periods.     

Biogas production from reed biomass: Effect of pretreatment using different steam explosion conditions

Biogas production often competes with food and feed production for the raw materials and cropland required for cultivation. Common reed offers an alternative source of biomass for biogas production, alleviating this conflict. Effective microbiological conversion of this type of lignocellulosic biomass requires a pretreatment process. This study aims to determine the specific methane yields of steam-exploded reed as well as to identify how pretreatment conditions influence its physico-chemical characteristics. For this purpose, reed was pretreated with steam explosion at severity factors ranging from 2.47 to 4.83. The effects on methane yields were analyzed in batch experiments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were captured and detailed chemical analyses of the substrates carried out. Results show that the digestibility of reed biomass improved remarkably after pretreatment. Compared to the untreated sample, steam explosion increased the specific methane yield up to 89% after pretreatment at 200 °C for 15 min. However, methane yield decreased under harsher conditions, which may be due to the formation of degradation compounds during the pretreatment.     

Measuring patent quality: A claim and search report approach

This paper presents a new prospective metric for assessing the novelty and inventiveness of patents. It does this by using initial patent search reports and examiner's intuition about the impact of adverse citations on patent claim survival. The paper then demonstrates the metric by evaluating the quality of Switzerland's national patent stock using a selection model, finding that between 84 and 90% of the country's national patents would likely not survive examination at the European Patent Office. In doing so, it contributes to the larger literature on patent assessment, underscores the relevance of patent strategy in the observed characteristics of patents, and removes some of the ambiguity in the academic literature about backward citations.     

中国农村居民口粮消费研究

中国粮食安全尤其是口粮安全问题引起人们广泛的关注。为研究农村居民口粮消费与经济因素的关系,探讨家庭收入和价格变化对中国农村居民口粮消费的影响,以及价格变化对口粮间的消费替代研究,本文对全国2003—2009年的省级农村消费数据进行了整理,采用非参数估计方法,确定AIDS消费模型的类型,并得到了口粮消费的自价格弹性、互价格弹性、支出弹性等。结果发现,随着收入的上涨,居民倾向消费更多的是水稻;小麦和水稻之间有较强的替代性。农村居民收入的增长,将推动口粮消费的变化,尤其促进水稻消费增长,因此文章最后提出了,优先重视发展水稻生产的建议。     

A comparative study of beef quality after ageing longissimus muscle using a dry ageing bag,traditional dry ageing or vacuum package ageing

The objective of this study was to investigate beef quality of longissimus muscle after ageing in dry ageing bags, traditional dry ageing or vacuum for 8 or 19 days. Lower ageing weight loss, odour score and microbial growth were found in meat aged in dry ageing bags than after traditional dry ageing. The sensory panel detected no differences for most of the sensory attributes between samples using the two dry ageing methods, except for the odour of the cutting surface. The dry-aged steaks had more umami and butter fried meat taste compared with vacuum-aged steaks. Ageing time affected most of the sensory traits in this study, which improved as ageing time increased from 8 to 19 days. In a consumer test, meat aged for 21 days in dry ageing bags was preferred than the samples aged in vacuum. This may be due to the higher tenderness and juiciness obtained during storage in dry ageing bags than meat aged in vacuum.     

Effects of temperature,pH and light on the stability of aloin A and characterisation of its major degradation products

This study explored the stability and degradation products of aloin A under varying pH, temperature and light conditions usually encountered in processing. The stability of aloin A was significantly affected by temperature and pH. The content of aloin A decreased by more than 90% within 12 h at 50 °C and within 6 h at 70 °C, respectively. A significant decrease in stability was also observed at higher pHs. At pH 8.0, less than 2% of aloin A remained within 12 h. However, aloin A exhibited good stability at acidic pH levels with 94% remaining at pH 2.0 for 14 days. Light exerted no influence on the stability during the experimental period (14 days). Aloe‐emodin, elgonica‐dimers A and B were characterised as major degradation products of aloin A at pH 5.0 or below, and elgonica‐dimers were mainly formed at 4 °C as well. 10‐hydroxyaloins A and B were found under any condition except at pH 2.0 and 3.0, and they were mainly formed under high temperature, neutral‐basic and any light conditions.