Chest X-ray enhancement to interpret pneumonia malformation based on fuzzy soft set and Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence

Image enhancement algorithms are commonly used to increase the contrast and visual quality of low-dose x-ray images. This paper proposes an automated enhancement method using soft fuzzy sets with a new decision-making scheme based on Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence for the visual interpretation of pneumonia malformation in low-dose x-ray images, called as XEFSDS. The XEFSDS model first generates an original source x-ray image into a complementary image, then each original and complement image is applied to the characterized image object and background areas of fuzzy space. The S-function is utilized to define fuzzy soft sets for the classification of gray level ambiguity in both images, and hence a decision criterion via Dempster-Shafer approach and fuzzy interval has been adapted to discriminate uncertainties on the pixel intensity and the spatial information. Modified membership grade operations have been performed on each object/background area, and Werner’s AND/OR operator (an aggregation operator) has been utilized to build a new membership function from two modified membership functions. Finally, an enhanced image is obtained from the new membership function via defuzzification. Experiments on different pneumonia X-ray images demonstrate that the XEFSDS scheme produces better results than the existing methods. To show the advantages of the XEFSDS scheme, we have executed a segmentation based examination on enhanced image for the detection of pneumonia malformation as well as abnormal lobe (lobar pneumonia) or bronchopneumonia.     

An experimental study of forced convective heat transfer for fully developed Al 2 O 3 –water nanofluid in an annulus tube

Nanofluids have been known as practical materials to ameliorate heat transfer within diverse industrial systems. The current work presents an empirical study on forced convection effects of Al₂O₃–water nanofluid within an annulus tube. A laminar flow regime has been considered to perform the experiment in high Reynolds number range using several concentrations of nanofluid. Also, the boundary conditions include a constant uniform heat flux applied on the outer shell and an adiabatic condition to the inner tube. Nanofluid particle is visualized with transmission electron microscopy to figure out the nanofluid particles. Additionally, the pressure drop is obtained by measuring the inlet and outlet pressure with respect to the ambient condition. The experimental results showed that adding nanoparticles to the base fluid will increase the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) and average Nusselt number. In addition, by increasing viscosity effects at maximum Reynolds number of 1140 and increasing nanofluid concentration from 1% to 4% (maximum performance at 4%), HTC increases by 18%.     

Mechanism of methanol decomposition on the Pd/WC(0001) surface unveiled by first-principles calculations

In this study, the decomposition of methanol into the CO and H species on the Pd/tungsten carbide (WC)(0001) surface is systematically investigated using periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The possible reaction pathways and intermediates are determined. The results reveal that saturated molecules, i.e., methanol and formaldehyde, adsorb weakly on the Pd/ WC(0001) surface. Both CO and H prefer three-fold sites, with adsorption energies of −1.51 and −2.67 eV, respectively. On the other hand, CH₃O stably binds at three-fold and bridge sites, with an adsorption energy of −2.58 eV. However, most of the other intermediates tend to adsorb to the surface with the carbon and oxygen atoms in their sp³ and hydroxyl-like configurations, respectively. Hence, the C atom of CH₂OH preferentially attaches to the top sites, CHOH and CH₂O adsorb at the bridge sites, while COH and CHO occupy the three-fold sites. The DFT calculations indicate that the rupture of the initial C–H bond promotes the decomposition of CH₃OH and CH₂OH, whereas in the case of CHOH, O–H bond scission is favored over the C–H bond rupture. Thus, the most probable methanol decomposition pathway on the Pd/WC(0001) surface is CH₃OH → CH₂OH → trans-CHOH → CHO → CO. The present study demonstrates that the synergistic effect of WC (as carrier) and Pd (as catalyst) alters the CH₃OH decomposition pathway and reduces the noble metal utilization.     

Does decision quality (always) increase with the size of information samples? Some vicissitudes in applying the law of large numbers.

Adaptive decision making requires that contingencies between decision options and their relative assets be assessed accurately and quickly. The present research addresses the challenging notion that contingencies may be more visible from small than from large samples of observations. An algorithmic account for such a seemingly paradoxical effect is offered within a satisficing-choice framework. Accordingly, a choice is only made when the sample contingency describing the relative evaluation of the 2 options exceeds a critical threshold. Small samples, because of the high dispersion of their sampling distribution, facilitate above-threshold contingencies. Across a broad range of parameters, the resulting small-sample advantage in terms of hits is stronger than their disadvantage in false alarms. Computer simulations and experiments support the model predictions. The relative advantage of small samples is most apparent when information loss is low, when the threshold is high relative to the ecological contingency, and when the sampling process is self-truncated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Beneficial effects of wettability altering surfactants in oil-wet fractured reservoirs

In fractured reservoirs, an effective matrix-fracture mass transfer is required for oil recovery. Surfactants have long been considered for oil recovery enhancement, mainly in terms of their ability to reduce oil–water interfacial tension. These surfactants are effective when the fractured formations are water-wet, where capillary imbibition of surfactants from the fracture into the matrix contributes to oil recovery. However, another beneficial aspect of surfactants, namely their ability to alter wettability, remains to be explored and exploited. Surfactants capable of altering wettability can be especially beneficial in oil-wet fractured formations, where the surfactant in the fracture diffuses into the matrix and alters the wettability, enabling imbibition of even more surfactant into the matrix. This sequential process of initial diffusion followed by imbibition continues well into the matrix yielding significant enhancements in oil recovery.In order to test this hypothesis of sequential diffusion–imbibition phenomenon, Dual-Drop Dual-Crystal (DDDC) contact angle experiments have been conducted using fractured Yates dolomite reservoir fluids, two types of surfactants (nonionic and anionic) and dolomite rock substrates. A new experimental procedure was developed in which crude oil equilibrated with reservoir brine has been exposed to surfactant to simulate the matrix-fracture interactions in fractured reservoirs. This procedure enables the measurements of dynamic contact angles and oil–water interfacial tensions, in addition to providing the visual observations of the dynamic behavior of crude oil trapped in the rock matrix as it encounters the diffusing surfactant from the fractures. Both the measurements and visual observations indicate wettability alterations of the matrix surface from oil-wet to less oil-wet or intermediate wet by the surfactants. Thus this study is of practical importance to oil-wet fractured formations where surfactant-induced wettability alterations can result in significant oil recovery enhancements. In addition, this study has also identified the need to include contact angle term in the dimensionless Bond number formulations for better quantitative interpretation of rock–fluids interactions.     

A model for semiconductor quantum dot molecule based on the current spin density functional theory

Based on the current spin density functional theory, a theoretical model of three vertically aligned semiconductor quantum dots is proposed and numerically studied. This quantum dot molecule (QDM) model is treated with realistic hard-wall confinement potential and external magnetic field in three-dimensional setting. Using the effective-mass approximation with band nonparabolicity, the many-body Hamiltonian results in a cubic eigenvalue problem from a finite difference discretization. A self-consistent algorithm for solving the Schrödinger-Poisson system by using the Jacobi-Davidson method and GMRES is given to illustrate the Kohn-Sham orbitals and energies of six electrons in the molecule with some magnetic fields. It is shown that the six electrons residing in the central dot at zero magnetic field can be changed to such that each dot contains two electrons with some feasible magnetic field. The Förster-Dexter resonant energy transfer may therefore be generated by two individual QDMs. This may motivate a new paradigm of Fermionic qubits for quantum computing in solid-state systems.     

AlSb晶体内二维磁极化子的磁场与温度效应

在考虑声子之间相互作用的同时，本文应用线性组合算符和微扰法研究了电子自旋对弱耦合二维磁极化子特性的影响。对AlSb晶体所作的数值计算结果表明，随着磁场的加强，磁极化子平均数减少；随着温度的增加，磁极化子平均数也增加；随着温度的增加，电子自旋作用以及声子之间相互作用都加强；随着磁场的加强，电子自旋作用增加而声子之间相互作用基本不变。     

对空监视雷达探测威力检飞的几个问题

以新的观点论证了对空监视雷达探测威力检验飞行中所需的采样点数和飞行架次，讨论了预警机雷达威力检飞的特殊问题，包括地区选择、航线设计和目标机标定等。     

架起试井理论和应用间的桥梁

分析指出试井理论和应用之间存在的问题，提出构架试井理论和应用之间桥梁的基础，明确构架桥梁的方法和手段。根据目前国内外试井理论和应用的发展状况，指出试井理论和试井分析方法应用的发展趋势。     

基于中压加氢改质方案的炼油流程协同优化

中国石化北京燕山分公司(简称燕山分公司）为增产高附加值产品、提升效益，对炼油系统进行了流程协同优化。中压加氢裂化装置掺炼催化裂化柴油，由加氢裂化方案改为加氢改质方案运行，将改质柴油送入三号催化裂化装置（简称三催化装置）的提升管进行回炼；同时，将焦化蜡油改入加氢裂化装置进行加工，而蜡油加氢装置不再加工焦化蜡油以改善催化裂化原料。协同优化后，中压加氢改质装置的柴油产品十六烷值提高7个单位；三催化装置的液化气收率提高1.96百分点，汽油收率增加0.88百分点，总液体收率增加2.28百分点；高压加氢裂化装置喷气燃料产品的密度（20 ℃）降低至806 kg/m3，烟点为23.8 mm，尾油BMCI由11.8降低至10.8；蜡油加氢装置精制蜡油的饱和分质量分数提高4.68百分点，芳香分质量分数降低5.96百分点，氮质量分数降低0.06百分点，使催化裂化原料性质得以改善。通过将中压加氢改质装置的喷气燃料馏分抽出送催化裂化装置回炼，与回炼改质柴油相比，催化裂化汽油的研究法辛烷值（RON）增加1.0个单位，改质柴油十六烷值提高4.8个单位。通过全炼油板块系统性优化，燕山分公司车用柴油产品的十六烷值由53.5降低至51.5，解决了质量过剩问题。