Computing geometric properties of images represented by linear quadtrees

The region quadtree is a hierarchical data structure that finds use in applications such as image processing, computer graphics, pattern recognition, robotics, and cartography. In order to save space, a number of pointerless quadtree representations (termed linear quadtrees) have been proposed. One representation maintains the nodes in a list ordered according to a preorder traversal of the quadtree. Using such an image representation and a graph definition of a quadtree, a general algorithm to compute geometric image properties such as the perimeter, the Euler number, and the connected components of an image is developed and analyzed. The algorithm differs from the conventional approaches to images represented by quadtrees in that it does not make use of neighbor finding methods that require the location of a nearest common ancestor. Instead, it makes use of a staircase-like data structure to represent the blocks that have been already processed. The worst-case execution time of the algorithm, when used to compute the perimeter, is proportional to the number of leaf nodes in the quadtree, which is optimal. For an image of size 2n × 2n, the perimeter algorithm requires only four arrays of 2n positions each for working storage. This makes it well suited to processing linear quadtrees residing in secondary storage. Implementation experience has confirmed its superiority to existing approaches to computing geometric properties for images represented by quadtrees.     

Improved harmonic suppression efficiency of single-phase APFs in distorted distribution systems

In this study, a control method is proposed to improve the harmonic suppression efficiency of the single-phase active power filter in a distorted power system to suppress current harmonics and reactive power. The proposed method uses the self-tuning filter (STF) algorithm to process single-phase grid voltage in order to provide a uniform reference grid current, which increases the efficiency of the system. The results of the simulation study are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control technique in this study.     

Étude des structures planaires en très hautes fréquences par une nouvelle formulation de la méthode des moments dans le domaine spatial

An efficient analytical integration technique for computation of spatial method of moments (MoM) integrals in conjunction with numerical matched loads is presented. The current distribution on the device is solved by using the well-known Galerkin’s MoM procedure applied to mixed potential integral equation in the spatial domain. The scattering parameters are determined by considering infinite lines at each port where only the fundamental mode is assumed to propagate. The contribution of this work is the development of an integration technique for the computation of spatial domain integrals, that is fast and rigorous. This technique is based on a Taylor series expansion of the integrands involving only polynomial functions. The use of polynomial forms in the integrals leads an immediate analytical integration, and the computation time will be considerably reduced.     

A bipolar implementation of the Beta neuron

The great flexibility of the Beta function and its universal approximation characteristics, make Beta basis function neural networks (BBFNNs) very useful. We present a hardware implementation of the Beta neuron. The proposed circuit was designed by using a standard bipolar technology. PSPICE simulations show the good concordance of the output of our circuit with the analytic Beta function. We also successfully integrated the electronic Beta neuron in the design of a BBFNN that approximates a nonlinear mapping.     

A Beta basis function neural network in CMOS subthreshold mode

Beta basis function neural networks (BBFNNs) are powerful systems for learning and universal approximation. In this paper, we present a hardware implementation of the Beta neuron using the CMOS subthreshold mode. We describe the low power–low voltage analogue Beta neuron circuit. Three main modules are used to realize the electronic Beta function: a logarithmic currentto-voltage converter, a multiplier and an exponential voltage-to-current converter. Simulation results show the validity of our neural hardware implementation. The parameters of the electronic Beta function are controlled independently by current sources. This analogue implementation could be used easily to realize analogue BBFNNs.     

On the absence of global solutions for quantum versions of Schrödinger equations and systems

We, first, consider the quantum version of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

$i^q{D}_{q|t}u(t,x)+\Delta u(qt,x)=\lambda |u(qt,x){|}^p,t>0,x\in {\mathbb{R}}^N,$

where $0<q<1$, $i^q$ is the principal value of $i^q$, $D_{q|t}$ is the $q$-derivative with respect to $t$, $\Delta$ is the Laplacian operator in ${\mathbb{R}}^N$, $\lambda \in ??\left\{0\right\}$, $p>1$, and $u(t,x)$ is a complex-valued function. Sufficient conditions for the nonexistence of global weak solution to the considered equation are obtained under suitable initial data. Next, we study the system of nonlinear coupled equations

$i^q{D}_{q|t}u(t,x)+\Delta u(qt,x)=\lambda |v(qt,x){|}^p,t>0,x\in {\mathbb{R}}^N,$

$i^q{D}_{q|t}v(t,x)+\Delta v(qt,x)=\lambda |u(qt,x){|}^m,t>0,x\in {\mathbb{R}}^N,$     

A Polish multicenter survey of antimicrobial susceptibility and prevalence of beta-lactamase production among bacterial pathogens isolated from hospitalized and ambulatory patients

The aim of the study was to establish the frequency of occurrence of bacterial pathogens with beta-lactamase activity, and pattern of resistance among aerobic and anaerobic strains isolated from: respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues (hospitalized patients) and throat swabs (ambulatory patients). The study was conducted in 1994 year in 6 bacteriological laboratories in four Polish towns (Warszawa, Kraków, Katowice, Gdańsk) according to the protocol. Sensitivity of bacteria was tested by the disc method on the Müeller-Hinton agar or chocolate agar according to NCCLS, activity of beta-lactamase was tested with nitrocephin. A total 2038 clinical strains--1869 aerobic and 169 anaerobic was well-defined and tested for susceptibility to ten antibiotics--amoxicilin, augmentin, ofloxacin, gentamycin, cefradin, erythromycin, cefuroxim, kotrimoxazol, cefalexin and cefaclor. Among the isolated aerobes Staphylococcus aureus (25.1%), E. coli (23.2%) and Haemophilus influenzae (14.0%) were most frequent, and in the group of anaerobes the most frequent were Bacteroides spp (40.8%) We have found 45.8% of all tested aerobic strains with beta-lactamase production, the highest proportion in pathogens isolated from respiratory tract--51.4%, 46.6% from urinary tract, and 48.4% from skin and soft tissues. Among the isolated anaerobic--68.8% of Bacteroides and 28.6% others produced beta-lactamase. Forty percentage of all strains were sensitive to amoxicilin, 70-90% of aerobic bacteria were sensitive to augmentin. Augmentin had a high activity against anaerobic bacteria too. Only a small proportion of the tested aerobic bacteria (12.2%) were resistant to ofloxacin, gentamycin showed a sufficient activity against tested strains (24.4% were resistant). The most frequent pathogen--Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to amoxicilin in 83.1% hospitalized patients, and in 73.9% in ambulatory patients.