Visual tracking using convolutional features with sparse coding

Artificial Intelligence Review - Visual object tracking has become one of the most active research topics in computer vision, and it has been applied in several commercial...     

Effect of kinesthetic and tactile haptic feedback on the quality of experience of edutainment applications

Haptic technologies and applications have received enormous attention in the last decade. The incorporation of haptic modality into multimedia applications adds excitement and enjoyment to an application. It also adds a more natural feel to multimedia applications, that otherwise would be limited to vision and audition, by engaging as well the user’s sense of touch, giving a more intrinsic feel essential for ambient intelligent applications. However, the improvement of an application’s Quality of Experience (QoE) by the addition of haptic feedback is still not completely understood. The research presented in this paper focuses on the effect of haptic feedback and what it potentially adds to the experience of the user as opposed to the traditional visual and auditory feedback. In essence, it investigates certain issues regarding stylus-based haptic education applications and haptic-enhanced entertainment videos. To this end, we used two haptic applications: the haptic handwriting learning tool to experiment with force feedback haptic interaction and the tactile YouTube application for tactile haptic feedback. In both applications, our analysis shows that the addition of haptic feedback will increase the QoE in the absence of fatigue or discomfort for this category of applications. This implies that the incorporation of haptic modality (both force feedback as well as tactile feedback) has positively contributed to the overall QoE for the users.     

Internal electrical fault detection techniques in DFIG-based wind turbines: a review

The keys factor in making wind power one of the main power sources to meet the world’s growing energy demands is the reliability improvement of wind turbines (WTs). However, the eventuality of fault occurrence on WT com ponents cannot be avoided, especially for doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) based WTs, which are operating in severe environments. The maintenance need increases due to unexpected faults, which in turn leads to higher operating cost and poor reliability. Extensive investigation into DFIG internal fault detection techniques has been carried out in the last decade. This paper presents a detailed review of these techniques. It discusses the methods that can be used to detect internal electrical faults in a DFIG stator, rotor, or both. A novel sorting technique is presented which takes into consideration different parameters such as fault location, detection technique, and DFIG modelling. The main mathematical representation used to detect these faults is presented to allow an easier and faster under standing of each method. In addition, a comparison is carried out in every section to illustrate the main differences, advantages, and disadvantages of every method and/or model. Some real monitoring systems available in the market are presented. Finally, recommendations for the challenges, future work, and main gaps in the field of internal faults in a DFIG are presented. This review is organized in a tutorial manner, to be an effective guide for future research for enhancing the reliability of DFIG-based WTs.     

Investigations on tyrosinase activity in melanin-free ink from Sepia officinalis: potential for food proteins cross-linking

Protein modification via enzymatic cross-linking is an attractive way for altering food structure so as to create products with increased quality and nutritional value. In this study, enzymatic cross-linking of β-casein was performed by tyrosinase activity, from melanin-free ink from Sepia officinalis, which was monitored by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) techniques. The melanin-free ink contains a strong tyrosinase activity with pH 7 and 58?°C as optima of pH and temperature, respectively. Such activity is stimulated by ferrous ions and strongly inhibited by Mn²⁺, EDTA, H₂O₂, arbutin, and p-coumaric acid. We also show that 2 Mercapto-ethanol (14?mM) quickly and completely inactivated sepia tyrosinase. The melanin-free ink exhibits a major protein on SDS–PAGE with an N-terminal sequence matching perfectly with an internal sequence of the sepia peroxidase. The zymogram confirmed the inactive state of this truncated protein and the presence of an active tyrosinase enzyme. Interestingly, this activity was able to cross-link the β-casein protein. The tyrosinase implication in reticulation was demonstrated by the addition of its inhibitors, with 2-mercaptoethanol being the most effective, followed by arbutin, p-coumaric acid, and hydrogen peroxide.     

Effect of a Small Amount of Synthetic Fiber on Performance of Biocarbon-Filled Nylon-Based Hybrid Biocomposites

Advanced hybrid biocomposites are engineered from nylon 6, waste wood biosourced carbon (biocarbon) with a low content of synthetic fiber for lightweight auto-parts uses. The novel engineering process through direct injection molding of only 2 wt% synthetic fibers in the form of masterbatch with 20 wt% biocarbon, results outstanding performance of the resulting nylon biocomposites. Such uniquely developed biocomposites show tensile strength of 105 MPa and tensile modulus of 5.14 GPa with a remarkable heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 206 °C. The direct injection molding of synthetic fiber retains the length ≈3 times higher as compared to traditional extrusion and injection molding; resulting greater degree of entanglement and composite reinforcement effectiveness in the hybrid biocomposites. Highly dimensionally stable nylon 6 biocomposites with a very low coefficient of linear thermal expansion results through reinforcing ability of the sustainable biocarbon and small amount of synthetic fiber.     

Comparison in composite performance after thermooxidative aging of injection molded polyamide 6 with glass fiber,talc, and a sustainable biocarbon filler

Degradation is an unavoidable part of a material's life making it important to both monitor and control the aging behavior of plastics. This study compares thermooxidative degraded composites of a novel bio-based and sustainable filler, Biocarbon (MBc), against that of traditional and commercially available fillers (glass fiber and talc) used in the automotive industry. The influence of thermooxidative degradation on the composites was studied under accelerated heat aging for 1000 h at 140°C. The mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated using notched Izod impact as well as both tensile and flexural tests. Morphological structure of the composites was investigated using a scanning electron microscopy. Dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were used to evaluate the physical transitions both before and after aging. The glass-filled composites displayed the best performance; while, both the talc and biocarbon composites possessed similar strength and ductility performances. Advantageously, the biocarbon composites experienced an 11% reduction in density as compared to talc-filled composites with similar weight content. After aging, all composites exhibited reduced tensile and flexural strengths ranging from 5 to 67% partly due to chain scission. Whereas, the modulus of all composites increased with a range of 1–24% due to an annealing effect. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48618.     

Analysis and prediction of traffic fatalities resulting from angle collisions including the effect of vehicles' configuration and compatibility

Although the rapid growth in light truck vehicle (LTV) sales, including minivans, sports utility vehicles (SUVs), and light-duty trucks, has not been associated with an overall increase in collisions or traffic deaths in the US, there is a need for a research program to determine whether particular types of collisions have become more frequent or injurious because of the increase in the percent of LTVs in traffic. This paper presents an analysis of the effect of the increasing number of LTV registrations on fatal angle collision trends in the US. The analysis investigates the number of annual fatalities that result from angle collisions as well as collision configuration (car-car, car-LTV, LTV-car, and LTV-LTV). The analysis uses the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) crash databases covering the period 1975-2000. Results showed that death rates differ based on the collision configuration. Time series modeling results showed that fatalities in angle collisions will increase in the next 10 years, and that they are affected by the expected increase in the percentage of LTVs in traffic. Forecast showed that the total number of annual deaths is expected to reach 6300 deaths by the year 2010 (an increase of 12% over 2000). Analysis into the configuration of the collision indicated the seriousness of angle collisions involving an LTV striking a common passenger car (LTV-car). A time series model illustrated the significance of time lag and percent of LTVs in traffic on the increase of this type of fatal collisions. Forecasts from the time series model indicated a 32% increase in deaths due to this type of collisions in the next 10 years.     

Corresponding regions for shadow restoration in satellite high-resolution images

ABSTRACT

High spatial resolution images available by satellites such as Ikonos, Quickbird, and WorldView-2 provide more information for remote sensing applications, such as object detection, classification, change detection, and object mapping. The presence of shadow reduces the amount of information that can be extracted and consequently makes these applications more difficult or even impossible. In this article, a shadow restoration approach for high-resolution satellite images is proposed. The approach detects the shadow area and segments the image into regions according to the land surface type. Then, shadow restoration is carried out for each region based on the degree of correspondence between shadow and neighbouring non-shadow regions. The proposed approach is applied to study areas from Ikonos and WorldView-2 satellite images. A comparison to the standard approaches for shadow restoration is performed, and an accuracy assessment is carried out by visual inspection and land-cover classification. The results show that the enhanced shadow regions using the proposed approach have better appearances and are highly compatible with their surrounding non-shadow regions. In addition, the overall accuracy is higher than those of the standard approaches.     

Assessment of groundwater resources in Kuwait using a finite difference model

Usable groundwater resources have strategic significance, given the arid climate of Kuwait. Assessment of groundwater resources through modelling is considered of paramount importance for sustained long‐term development of this resource. A conceptual model of the regional hydrogeology of the area has been developed based on the available data. Three aquifers were recognized within the Dammam Formation‐Kuwait Group sequence. VTDN software was used for numerical simulation of the groundwater flow in this aquifer system under steady‐state conditions. Calibration runs made to date suggest that the model is sensitive to the vertical coefficient of permeability of the aquitards and the horizontal transmissi‐vities of the aquifers. The water balance achieved shows that the contribution from the natural recharge from precipitation is insignificant.     

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the essential oils of Etlingera elatior and Cinnamomum pubescens Kochummen

BACKGROUND: Plant essential oils are widely used as fragrances and flavours. Therefore, the essential oils from the leaves of Cinnamomum pubescens Kochummen (CP) and the whole plant of Etlingera elatior (EE) were investigated for their antioxidant, antibacterial and phytochemical properties. RESULTS: CP and EE were found to contain appreciable levels of total phenolic contents (50.6 and 33.41 g kg^?1 as gallic acid equivalent) and total flavonoid contents (205.6 and 244.8 g kg^?1 as rutin equivalent), respectively. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of CP is superior to EE (P < 0.05) showing IC₅₀ of 77.2 and 995.1 µg mL^?1, respectively. Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella choleraesuis were tested against CP and EE. Only MRSA was the most susceptible bacteria to CP. GC/MS studies resulted in the identification of 79 and 73 compounds in CP and EE, respectively. The most abundant components of EE included β‐pinene (24.92%) and 1‐dodecene (24.31%). While the major compound in CP were 1,6‐octadien‐3‐ol,3,7‐dimethyl (11.55%), cinnamaldehyde (56.15%) and 1‐phenyl‐propane‐2,2‐diol diethanoate (11.38%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the essential oils from Cinnamomum pubescens Kochummen and Etlingera elatior could be potentially used as a new source of natural antioxidant and antibacterial in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry