Wavelet packet transform-based robust video watermarking technique

In this paper, a wavelet packet transform (WPT)-based robust video watermarking algorithm is proposed. A visible meaningful binary image is used as the watermark. First, sequent frames are extracted from the video clip. Then, WPT is applied on each frame and from each orientation one sub-band is selected based on block mean intensity value called robust sub-band. Watermark is embedded in the robust sub-bands based on the relationship between wavelet packet coefficient and its 8-neighbour (D ₈) coefficients considering the robustness and invisibility. Experimental results and comparison with existing algorithms show the robustness and the better performance of the proposed algorithm.     

甜心派对

爱，可以化身为语言，亦可变身为行动。当生活中的小物被印上爱的记号时，我们的嘴角也随着那些“爱心”微微上扬，甜蜜味道满溢心中。     

Detection of milk fat adulteration with admixture of foreign oils and fats using a fractionation technique and the apparent solidification time test

A fractionation technique followed by the apparent solidification time (AST) test was adopted for detecting the admixture of foreign oils and fats in milk fat. The AST values of the solid fraction obtained at 20°C, and solid and liquid fractions obtained at 18°C for pure cow milk fat, were 2 min 30 s, and 3 min 21 s and 3 min 31 s, while for buffalo milk fat they were 1 min 58 s, and 2 min 47 s and 3 min 10 s respectively. This new approach can detect some mixtures of foreign oils and fats in cow milk fat but not in buffalo milk fat.     

ROBUST DESIGN FOR IMPROVED VEHICLE HANDLING UNDER A RANGE OF MANEUVER CONDITIONS

In this article, a robust design procedure is applied to achieve improved vehicle handling performance as an integral part of simulation-based vehicle design. Recent developments in the field of robust design optimization and the techniques for creating global approximations of design behaviors are applied to improve the computational efficiency of robust vehicle design built upon sophisticated vehicle dynamic simulations. The approach is applied to the design of a M916A1 6-wheel tractor/M870A2 3-axle semi-trailer. The results illustrate that the proposed procedure is effective for preventing the rollover of ground vehicles as well as for identifying a design that is not only optimal against the worst maneuver condition but is also robust with respect to a range of maneuver inputs. Furthermore, a comparison is made between a statistical approach and a bi-level optimization approach in terms of their effectiveness in solving robust design problems     

Apparent solidification time test for detection of foreign oils and fats adulterated in clarified milk fat, as affected by season and storage

An apparent solidification time (AST) test was developed for the detection of foreign fats and oils in milk fat. AST values at 18°C for buffalo and cow milk fats ranged from 2 min 30 s to 2 min 48 s and 2 min 56 s to 3 min 26 s, while for pig body fat, goat body fat and hydrogenated vegetable oils, AST values were 1 min 30 s, 0 min 40 s and 1 min 50 s, respectively. Vegetable oils yielded no AST values, suggesting that adulteration can be detected using the AST method in the case of some but not all possible adulterants.     

Incorporation of tool-life variables in NC path planning

An integration of tool-life variables with optimization studies is not evident in present literature. It is our belief however, that such an integration is required to make analytical NC path planning real. A two step process for analysing the tool path planning problem was carried out. First a simple path planning program was created that finds the total length of cut in a face milling operation (of flat convex polygonal shapes) using a staircasing strategy. Next, the impact of the locus of cut, entrance and exit on face milling was analysed through extensive literature analysis. A prototype program was hence written to include the effects of these variables on path planning. By adding more process variables and by performing more analysis on the present software, total simulation of machining strategies can be performed analytically.     

Composite supercapacitor electrodes made of activated carbon/PEDOT:PSS and activated carbon/doped PEDOT

In this paper, we report on the high electrical storage capacity of composite electrodes made from nanoscale activated carbon combined with either poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) or PEDOT doped with multiple dopants such as ammonium persulfate (APS) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The composites were fabricated by electropolymerization of the conducting polymers (PEDOT:PSS, doped PEDOT) onto the nanoscale activated carbon backbone, wherein the nanoscale activated carbon was produced by ball-milling followed by chemical and thermal treatments. Activated carbon/PEDOT:PSS yielded capacitance values of 640 F g^?1 and 26 mF cm^?2, while activated carbon/doped PEDOT yielded capacitances of 1183 F g^?1 and 42 mF cm^?2 at 10 mV s^?1. This is more than five times the storage capacity previously reported for activated carbon–PEDOT composites. Further, use of multiple dopants in PEDOT improved the storage performance of the composite electrode well over that of PEDOT:PSS. The composite electrodes were characterized for their electrochemical behaviour, structural and morphological details and electronic conductivity and showed promise as high-performance energy storage systems.     

Large deflection behavior effect in reinforced concrete columns exposed to extreme dynamic loads

Reinforced concretes (RC) have been widely used in constructions. In construction, one of the critical elements carrying a high percentage of the weight is columns which were not used to design to absorb large dynamic load like surface bursts. This study focuses on investigating blast load parameters to design of RC columns to withstand blast detonation. The numerical model is based on finite element analysis using LS-DYNA. Numerical results are validated against blast field tests available in the literature. Couples of simulations are performed with changing blast parameters to study effects of various scaled distances on the nonlinear behavior of RC columns. According to simulation results, the scaled distance has a substantial influence on the blast response of RC columns. With lower scaled distance, higher peak pressure and larger pressure impulse are applied on the RC column. Eventually, keeping the scaled distance unchanged, increasing the charge weight or shorter standoff distance cause more damage to the RC column. Intensive studies are carried out to investigate the effects of scaled distance and charge weight on the damage degree and residual axial load carrying capacity of RC columns with various column width, longitudinal reinforcement ratio and concrete strength. Results of this research will be used to assessment the effect of an explosion on the dynamic behavior of RC columns.     

A comparison of the physico‐chemical properties of low‐cholesterol ghee with standard ghee from cow and buffalo creams

Low‐cholesterol ghee with 90% less cholesterol was prepared using β‐cyclodextrin. The physico‐chemical properties such as Reichert‐Meissl (RM) value, Polenske value, Butyro‐refractometer (BR) reading at 40°C, Iodine value and free fatty acids (FFA) as oleic acid in cow standard ghee and the corresponding low‐cholesterol ghee remained almost unaltered. A similar trend was also observed in buffalo ghee. Fat soluble vitamins (β‐carotene, A and E) in both cow and buffalo low‐cholesterol ghee were very similar to that of respective standard ghee samples. However, 65 to 70% loss of vitamin D was observed in low‐cholesterol ghee.