Reconfigurable hardware implementation of a phase-correlation stereoalgorithm

This paper describes the implementation of a stereo-vision system using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Reconfigurable hardware, including FPGAs, is an attractive platform for implementing vision algorithms due to its ability to exploit parallelism often found in these algorithms, and due to the speed with which applications can be developed as compared to hardware. The system outputs 8-bit, subpixel disparity estimates for 256× 360 pixel images at 30,fps. A local-weighted phase correlation algorithm for stereo disparity [Fleet, D. J.: {Int. Conf. Syst. Man Cybernetics 1:48–54 (1994)] is implemented. Despite the complexity of performing correlations on multiscale, multiorientation phase data, the system runs as much as 300 times faster in hardware than its software implementation. This paper describes the hardware platform used, the algorithm, and the issues encountered during its hardware implementation. Of particular interest is the implementation of multiscale, steerable filters, which are widely used in computer vision algorithms. Several trade-offs (reducing the number of filter orientations from three to two, using fixed-point computation, changing the location of one localized low-pass filter, and using L1 instead of L2 norms) were required to both fit the design into the available hardware and to achieve video-rate processing. Finally, results from the system are given both for synthetic data sets as well as several standard stereo-pair test images.     

Verification of a model for estimating the void fraction in a three-component randomly packed bed

The void fraction in a three-component randomly packed bed was calculated from the authors' model, and the calculated values were compared with published experimental data for spherical and irregularly shaped particles and with results from computer simulations. Results from the model were in good agreement with simulated and published experimental data.     

Sensitivity analysis of initial value problems with mixed odes and algebraic equations

An efficient method is described for sensitivity analysis of nonlinear initial value problems, which may include algebraic equations as well as ordinary differential equations.The linearity of the sensitivity equations is utilized to solve them directly via the local Jacobian of the state equations. The method is implemented with the implicit integrator DASSL and is demonstrated on a stiff industrial reaction model.     

Mutagenicity of three agricultural soils

A chemical and biological testing protocol was employed to evaluate the mutagenic potential of the organic compounds extracted from three agricultural soils. The analytical procedures used included bioassays with Salmonella typhimurium and Aspergillus nidulans for the detection of point mutations and a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/computer system to identify major organic constituents. The extracts of all three soils exhibited mutagenic response in the bioassays. At a dose level of 1000 micrograms per plate, the organic extract of the Bastrop clay induced 434 net revertants; while at the same dose level the Norwood sandy clay and the Sassafrass sandy loam induced 35 and 178 net revertants, respectively, in the Salmonella assay with metabolic activation. In the Aspergillus assay, the extract of the Norwood and Bastrop soils induced a positive response without metabolic activation; this effect was reduced or eliminated in the presence of metabolic activation. Chemical analysis identified a variety of initiators, promotors, inhibitors, and cocarcinogens; however, there were no mutagenic compounds identified in any of the soil extracts. The results of this combined testing protocol indicate that the agricultural soils tested had an inherent level of mutagenic activity, which was not detected by GC/MS analysis alone, and this activity may be related to the past history of agricultural practices, including biocide applications, fertilization, and cultivation.     

The visual control of reaching and grasping: Binocular disparity and motion parallax.

The primary visual sources of depth and size information are binocular cues and motion parallax. Here, the authors determine the efficacy of these cues to control prehension by presenting them in isolation from other visual cues. When only binocular cues were available, reaches showed normal scaling of the transport and grasp components with object distance and size. However, when only motion parallax was available, only the transpont component scaled reliably. No additional increase in scaling was found when both cues were available simultaneously. Therefore, although equivalent information is available from binocular and motion parallax information, the latter may be of relatively limited use for the control of the grasp. Binocular disparity appears selectively important for the control of the grasp. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Survival of rotavirus SA-11 on vegetables

Survival of rotavirus on lettuce, radishes, and carrots was studied to evaluate the potential of rotavirus transmission by vegetables irrigated with wastewater. The vegetables were contaminated with rotavirus SA-11 and stored at 4°C and room temperature in covered and uncovered containers to simulate post harvest conditions. Virus decay rates were greater on radishes and carrots than lettuce. Decay rates of rotavirus on lettuce, radish, and carrot ranged from ?0·057 to ?0·479 (log₁₀ pfu/day). Rotavirus SA-11 survived on lettuce, radish, and carrot for 25 to 30 days at 4°C but at room temperature survival was very different for the various vegetables varying from 5 to 25 days. Greatest survival was always observed on the lettuce. These data suggest that rotaviruses can survive long enough on contaminated vegetables as to be transmitted by this vehicle.     

Lithium/lithium vanadium oxide secondary batteries: IV. Evaluation of factors affecting the performance of test cells

With the aim of optimizing the performance of Li/Li_1+xV₃O₈ cells, several aspects of cathode preparation have been examined. The influence of synthesis technique, nature and amount of conductive additives, compacting pressure, cathode loading, and particle size, has been investigated. Furthermore, the role played by the solutions on cathode efficiency has been outlined. The formulations which perform best are based on small-sized particles blended with about 20% acetylene black and compacted at very high pressures to improve the contact between particles. Such cathodes can provide high capacities at high rates and good cycling efficiencies. The kinetic loss of capacity, observed during the first few cycles, may be alleviated by choosing solutions with high fluidity and conductivity.     

Inhibition of nitrification in the packed bed reactors by selected organic compounds

The effect of methanol, acetone, formalin and glucose on the nitrification process in the packed bed reactors has been investigated. For the utilized compounds the inhibition constant K_i was determined according to Dixon's method. The determined values were as follows: methanol K_i = 116.0 mg l^?1; acetone K_i = 804.2 mg l^?1; formalin K_i = 61.5 mg l^?1. The value of K_i for glucose has not been determined because glucose in applied concentration up to 11,325 mg l^?1 had no effect on the nitrification course.     

Stereo and motion correspondences using nonlinear optimization method

This paper presents a new approach for using stereo and motion correspondences to solve the problem of tracking multiple independently moving features. In this approach, quantitative relational structure (QRS) is proposed as a framework for the integration of stereo–motion correspondences. The similarity function, tightly coupled to stereo and motion cues, is constructed on QRS, and then energy function E² consisting of the similarity function is defined. The tracking problem can be converted into the maximization problem of the energy function E². The stereo and motion correspondences that maximize E² are recovered by applying an extended graduated assignment algorithm. The relaxation labeling method is also presented for the comparison with the proposed method. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method.     

Polymorphisme du dioxotriplomb (II) tetraoxosulfate (VI) Pb3O2(SO4) a basse temperature. II - Etude structurale de la phase ferroelastique gamma-Pb3O2 (SO4) par diffraction neutronique sur poudres a 2 et 45K

Full-profile neutron powder diffraction structure refinements of dioxotrilead(II)tetraoxosulfate(VI) at 2 and 45K reveal that both the alpha- and the gamma-Pb₃O₂ (SO₄) polymorphs have to be refined simultaneously at these temperatures. Accordingly, the paraelastic alpha phase is trapped in the ferroelastic gamma phase, yielding thus mixtures of both compounds in a nearly 1:1 molar ratio. Both structures are essentially similar. The slight variations of the lead-oxygen distances in the infinite edge-sharing tetrahedral (Pb₃ O₂)n double-chains force the sulfate group to adopt nearly C3v and C2v site symmetries respectively in the alpha and gamma phases. The present work is a good example of the behaviour of the DBW3.2 program (1) when mixtures of very similar structures are refined simultaneously (high correlation between some structural parameters).