Nonlinear model identification and see-through cancelation from recto–verso data

The problem of see-through cancelation in digital images of double-sided documents is addressed. We show that a nonlinear convolutional data model proposed elsewhere for moderate show-through can also be effective on strong back-to-front interferences, provided that the recto and verso pure patterns are estimated jointly. To this end, we propose a restoration algorithm that does not need any classification of the pixels. The see-through PSFs are estimated off-line, and an iterative procedure is then employed for a joint estimation of the pure patterns. This simple and fast algorithm can be used on both grayscale and color images and has proved to be very effective in real-world cases. The experimental results we report in this paper demonstrate that our algorithm outperforms the ones based on linear models with no need to tune free parameters and remains computationally inexpensive despite the nonlinear model and the iterative solution adopted. Strategies to overcome some of the residual difficulties are also envisaged.     

Intrinsic Ferromagnetic Impurity Phases in SmFeAsO1−x F x Detected by μSR

We report μSR measurements on SmFeAsO_1−x F _x which helped us to identify the signature of diluted ferromagnetic inclusions, ubiquitous in the iron pnictides. These impurities are characterized by a Curie temperature close to room temperature and they seem responsible for a non negligible magnetic relaxation of the implanted muons, which should not be confused with intrinsic pnictide properties.      

Characterization, modeling and assessment of Roll-N-Cage isolator using the cable-stayed bridge benchmark

This paper presents the results of an extensive series of simulation tests to identify the mechanical characteristics of an innovative isolation device known as the Roll-N-Cage (RNC) isolator. The seismic performance of an RNC passive control scheme is subsequently investigated on a model of the cable-stayed bridge benchmark. Starting from different configurations studied in the laboratory for a 1/10 reduced-scale prototype, the RNC isolator stiffness and damping properties are investigated in terms of cyclic tests with different parameters. Tests at the ultimate level state consisting of monotonic shear and axial loading have been also carried out as a part of the qualification process. The goal of this study is twofold: first, to examine the main integrated mechanisms of the RNC isolator through sophisticated 3D finite element simulation models using a multi-purpose finite element code. The main result of this step is to attempt modeling the force–displacement relationship using the standard Bouc–Wen model of smooth hysteresis. The second aim of this study is the numerical assessment of the device efficiency through its implementation into a bridge model considering several ground motions as external excitations. Based on these extensive studies, it was found that the RNC isolator is promising as a reliable isotropic horizontal isolation device for bridge structures.     

The “presence of others” in a virtual environment: different collaborative modalities with hybrid resources

The purpose of this study is to see in which forms and under which conditions social presence turns into collaboration. Eight couples were asked to find some objects in a virtual environment in which collaboration was allowed but not mandatory. The qualitative analysis of the video recordings shows that all participants resorted to collaboration in forms that were justified by the requirements of the task, the environmental affordances and the different expertise.

Direct X-ray observation of lattice parameter changes due to magnetostriction in nickel single crystal

Journal of Materials Science -     

Theory of a tunable fiber ring depolarizer theory

The depolarizing properties of a fiber ring structure have been analyzed, and the analytical solution to the device optimization has been found. The result proves that a tunable fiber ring depolarizer can completely depolarize light for any input state of polarization.     

Mid-infrared w quantum-well lasers for noncryogenic continuous-wave operation

We review the recent progress of electrically injected and optically pumped mid-IR lasers based on antimonide quantum wells with the type II W configuration. W quantum-well diodes have achieved cw operation up to 195 K at lambda = 3.25 mum. Optically pumped devices that employ the diamond pressure bond heat sink have reached 290 K at 3 mum and 210 K at 6 mum. Pulsed power conversion efficiencies of up to 7% at 220 K have been attained by use of an optical pumping injection cavity approach, in which an etalon cavity for the pump beam significantly enhances its absorptance. The angled-grating distributed-feedback configuration has been used to obtain near-diffraction-limited output for an optical pumping stripe width of 50 mum.     

Improved bounds for large scale capacitated arc routing problem

The Capacitated Arc Routing Problem (CARP) stands among the hardest combinatorial problems to solve or to find high quality solutions. This becomes even more true when dealing with large instances. This paper investigates methods to improve on lower and upper bounds of instances on graphs with over 200 vertices and 300 edges, dimensions that, today, can be considered of large scale. On the lower bound side, we propose to explore the speed of a dual ascent heuristic to generate capacity cuts. These cuts are next improved with a new exact separation enchained to the linear program resolution that follows the dual heuristic. On the upper bound, we implement a modified Iterated Local Search procedure to Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) instances obtained by applying a transformation from the CARP original instances. Computational experiments were carried out on the set of large instances generated by Brandão and Eglese and also on the regular size sets. The experiments on the latter allow for evaluating the quality of the proposed solution approaches, while those on the former present improved lower and upper bounds for all instances of the corresponding set.     

Obstacle Modelling Oriented to Safe Motion Planning and Control for Planar Rigid Robot Manipulators

Trajectory planning and tracking are crucial tasks in any application using robot manipulators. These tasks become particularly challenging when obstacles are present in the manipulator workspace. In this paper a n-joint planar robot manipulator is considered and it is assumed that obstacles located in its workspace can be approximated in a conservative way with circles. The goal is to represent the obstacles in the robot configuration space. The representation allows to obtain an efficient and accurate trajectory planning and tracking. A simple but effective path planning strategy is proposed in the paper. Since path planning depends on tracking accuracy, in this paper an adequate tracking accuracy is guaranteed by means of a suitably designed Second Order Sliding Mode Controller (SOSMC). The proposed approach guarantees a collision-free motion of the manipulator in its workspace in spite of the presence of obstacles, as confirmed by experimental results.