Caracterización automatizada de texturas de menas mediante análisis digital de imagen para su aplicación geometalúrgica

La mineralogía de procesos se ha convertido en los últimos años en una herramienta indispensable dentro del ámbito minero-metalúrgico debido fundamentalmente a la emergencia de la Geometalurgia. Esta disciplina en auge, a través de la integración de datos geológicos, mineros y metalúrgicos, proporciona la información necesaria para que el circuito de concentración mineral pueda responder de manera rápida y eficaz a la variabilidad mineralógica inherente a la geología del yacimiento. Para la generación del modelo geometalúrgico, la mineralogía de procesos debe aportar datos cuantitativos sobre los rasgos mineralógicos influyentes en el comportamiento de los minerales y para ello se apoya en el uso de sistemas de análisis mineralógico automatizado. Estos sistemas son capaces de proporcionar gran cantidad de datos mineralógicos de manera rápida y precisa. Sin embargo, cuando se trata de la caracterización de la textura, el mineralogista debe recurrir a descripciones cualitativas basadas en la observación, ya que los sistemas actuales no ofrecen información textural automatizada. Esta tesis doctoral surge precisamente para proporcionar de manera sistemática información textural relevante para los procesos de concentración mineral. La tesis tiene como objetivo principal la identificación y caracterización del tipo de intercrecimiento que un determinado mineral presenta en las partículas minerales, e inicialmente se han tenido en cuenta los siete tipos de intercrecimiento considerados como los más relevantes bajo el punto de vista del comportamiento de las partículas minerales durante flotación, lixiviación y molienda. Para alcanzar este objetivo se ha desarrollado una metodología basada en el diseño y cálculo de una serie de índices numéricos, a los que se ha llamado índices mineralúrgicos, que cumplen una doble función: por un lado, cada índice aporta información relevante para caracterizar los principales rasgos mineralógicos que gobiernan el comportamiento de las partículas minerales a lo largo de los procesos de concentración y por otro lado, estos índices sirven como variables discriminantes para identificar el tipo de intercrecimiento mineral mediante la aplicación de Análisis Discriminante. Dentro del conjunto de índices propuestos en este trabajo, se han considerado algunos índices propuestos por otros autores para su aplicación tanto en el ámbito de la mineralogía como en otros ámbitos de la ciencia de materiales. Se trata del Índice de Contigüidad (Gurland, 1958), Índice de Intercrecimiento (Amstutz y Giger, 1972) e Índice de Coordinación (Jeulin, 1981), adaptados en este caso para el análisis de partículas minerales. El diseño de los índices se ha basado en los principios básicos de la Estereología y el análisis digital de imagen, y su cálculo se ha llevado a cabo aplicando el método de interceptos lineales mediante la programación en MATLAB de varias rutinas. Este método estereológico permite recoger una serie de medidas a partir de las que es posible calcular varios parámetros, tanto estereológicos como geométricos, que han servido de base para calcular los índices mineralúrgicos. Para evaluar la capacidad discriminatoria de los índices mineralúrgicos se han seleccionado 200 casos en los que se puede reconocer de manera clara alguno de los siete tipos de intercrecimiento considerados inicialmente en este trabajo. Para cada uno de estos casos se han calculado los índices mineralúrgicos y se ha aplicado Análisis Discriminante, obteniendo un porcentaje de acierto en la clasificación del 95%. Esta cifra indica que los índices propuestos son discriminadores fiables del tipo de intercrecimiento. Una vez probada la capacidad discriminatoria de los índices, la metodología desarrollada ha sido aplicada para caracterizar una muestra de un concentrado de cobre procedente de la mina Kansanshi (Zambia). Esta caracterización se ha llevado a cabo para obtener la distribución de calcopirita según su tipo de intercrecimiento. La utilidad de esta distribución ha sido analizada bajo diferentes puntos de vista y en todos ellos los índices mineralúrgicos aportan información valiosa para caracterizar el comportamiento mineralúrgico de las partículas minerales. Los resultados derivados tanto del Análisis Discriminante como de la caracterización del concentrado de Kansanshi muestran la fiabilidad, utilidad y versatilidad de la metodología desarrollada, por lo que su integración como herramienta rutinaria en los sistemas actuales de análisis mineralógico pondría a disposición del mineralurgista gran cantidad de información textural complementaria a la información ofrecida por las técnicas actuales de caracterización mineralógica. ABSTRACT Process mineralogy has become in the last decades an essential tool in the mining and metallurgical sphere, especially driven by the emergence of Geometallurgy. This emergent discipline provides required information to efficiently tailor the circuit performance to the mineralogical variability inherent to ore deposits. To contribute to the Geometallurgical model, process mineralogy must provide quantitative data about the main mineralogical features implied in the minerallurgical behaviour of minerals. To address this characterisation, process mineralogy relies on automated systems. These systems are capable of providing a large amount of data quickly and accurately. However, when it comes to the characterisation of texture, mineralogists need to turn to qualitative descriptions based on observation, due to the fact that current systems can not offer quantitative textural information in a routine way. Aiming at the automated characterisation of textural information, this doctoral thesis arises to provide textural information relevant for concentration processes in a systematic way. The main objective of the thesis is the automated identification and characterisation of intergrowth types in mineral particles. Initially, the seven intergrowth types most relevant for flotation, leaching and grinding are considered. To achieve this goal, a methodology has been developed based on the computation of a set of numerical indices, which have been called minerallurgical indices. These indices have been designed with two main purposes: on the one hand, each index provides information to characterise the main mineralogical features which determine particle behaviour during concentration processes and, on the other hand, these indices are used as discriminant variables for identifying the intergrowth type by Discriminant Analysis. Along with the indices developed in this work, three indices proposed by other authors belonging to different fields of materials science have been also considered after being adapted to the analysis of mineral particles. These indices are Contiguity Index (Gurland, 1958), Intergrowth Index (Amstutz and Giger, 1972) and Coordination Index (Jeulin, 1981). The design of minerallurgical indices is based on the fundamental principles of Stereology and Digital Image Analysis. Their computation has been carried out using the linear intercepts method, implemented by means of MATLAB programming. This stereological method provides a set of measurements to obtain several parameters, both stereological and geometric. Based on these parameters, minerallurgical indices have been computed. For the assessment of the discriminant capacity of the developed indices, 200 cases have been selected according to their internal structure, so that one of the seven intergrowth types initially considered in this work can be easily recognised in any of their constituents. Minerallurgical indices have been computed for each case and used as discriminant variables. After applying discriminant analysis, 95% of the cases were correctly classified. This result shows that the proposed indices are reliable identifiers of intergrowth type. Once the discriminant power of the indices has been assessed, the developed methodology has been applied to characterise a copper concentrate sample from the Kansanshi copper mine (Zambia). This characterisation has been carried out to quantify the distribution of chalcopyrite with respect to intergrowth types. Different examples of the application of this distribution have been given to test the usefulness of the method. In all of them, the proposed indices provide valuable information to characterise the minerallurgical behaviour of mineral particles. Results derived from both Discriminant Analysis and the characterisation of the Kansanshi concentrate show the reliability, usefulness and versatility of the developed methodology. Therefore, its integration as a routine tool in current systems of automated mineralogical analysis should make available for minerallurgists a great deal of complementary information to treat the ore more efficiently.

Changing the paradigm: endoscopic video analysis and information extraction for safer surgeries

Background: Minimally invasive surgery creates two technological opportunities: (1) the development of better training and objective evaluation environments, and (2) the creation of image guided surgical systems.

A framework for the analysis and optimization of delay in multiview video coding schemes

Esta tesis presenta un novedoso marco de referencia para el análisis y optimización del retardo de codificación y descodificación para vídeo multivista. El objetivo de este marco de referencia es proporcionar una metodología sistemática para el análisis del retardo en codificadores y descodificadores multivista y herramientas útiles en el diseño de codificadores/descodificadores para aplicaciones con requisitos de bajo retardo. El marco de referencia propuesto caracteriza primero los elementos que tienen influencia en el comportamiento del retardo: i) la estructura de predicción multivista, ii) el modelo hardware del codificador/descodificador y iii) los tiempos de proceso de cuadro. En segundo lugar, proporciona algoritmos para el cálculo del retardo de codificación/ descodificación de cualquier estructura arbitraria de predicción multivista. El núcleo de este marco de referencia consiste en una metodología para el análisis del retardo de codificación/descodificación multivista que es independiente de la arquitectura hardware del codificador/descodificador, completada con un conjunto de modelos que particularizan este análisis del retardo con las características de la arquitectura hardware del codificador/descodificador. Entre estos modelos, aquellos basados en teoría de grafos adquieren especial relevancia debido a su capacidad de desacoplar la influencia de los diferentes elementos en el comportamiento del retardo en el codificador/ descodificador, mediante una abstracción de su capacidad de proceso. Para revelar las posibles aplicaciones de este marco de referencia, esta tesis presenta algunos ejemplos de su utilización en problemas de diseño que afectan a codificadores y descodificadores multivista. Este escenario de aplicación cubre los siguientes casos: estrategias para el diseño de estructuras de predicción que tengan en consideración requisitos de retardo además del comportamiento tasa-distorsión; diseño del número de procesadores y análisis de los requisitos de velocidad de proceso en codificadores/ descodificadores multivista dado un retardo objetivo; y el análisis comparativo del comportamiento del retardo en codificadores multivista con diferentes capacidades de proceso e implementaciones hardware. ABSTRACT This thesis presents a novel framework for the analysis and optimization of the encoding and decoding delay for multiview video. The objective of this framework is to provide a systematic methodology for the analysis of the delay in multiview encoders and decoders and useful tools in the design of multiview encoders/decoders for applications with low delay requirements. The proposed framework characterizes firstly the elements that have an influence in the delay performance: i) the multiview prediction structure ii) the hardware model of the encoder/decoder and iii) frame processing times. Secondly, it provides algorithms for the computation of the encoding/decoding delay of any arbitrary multiview prediction structure. The core of this framework consists in a methodology for the analysis of the multiview encoding/decoding delay that is independent of the hardware architecture of the encoder/decoder, which is completed with a set of models that particularize this delay analysis with the characteristics of the hardware architecture of the encoder/decoder. Among these models, the ones based in graph theory acquire special relevance due to their capacity to detach the influence of the different elements in the delay performance of the encoder/decoder, by means of an abstraction of its processing capacity. To reveal possible applications of this framework, this thesis presents some examples of its utilization in design problems that affect multiview encoders and decoders. This application scenario covers the following cases: strategies for the design of prediction structures that take into consideration delay requirements in addition to the rate-distortion performance; design of number of processors and analysis of processor speed requirements in multiview encoders/decoders given a target delay; and comparative analysis of the encoding delay performance of multiview encoders with different processing capabilities and hardware implementations.

A framework for the analysis and optimization of encoding latency for multiview video

We present a novel framework for the analysis and optimization of encoding latency for multiview video. Firstly, we characterize the elements that have an influence in the encoding latency performance: (i) the multiview prediction structure and (ii) the hardware encoder model. Then, we provide algorithms to find the encoding latency of any arbitrary multiview prediction structure. The proposed framework relies on the directed acyclic graph encoder latency (DAGEL) model, which provides an abstraction of the processing capacity of the encoder by considering an unbounded number of processors. Using graph theoretic algorithms, the DAGEL model allows us to compute the encoding latency of a given prediction structure, and determine the contribution of the prediction dependencies to it. As an example of DAGEL application, we propose an algorithm to reduce the encoding latency of a given multiview prediction structure up to a target value. In our approach, a minimum number of frame dependencies are pruned, until the latency target value is achieved, thus minimizing the degradation of the rate-distortion performance due to the removal of the prediction dependencies. Finally, we analyze the latency performance of the DAGEL derived prediction structures in multiview encoders with limited processing capacity.

Análisis del software ImageJ para el análisis científico de imágenes

ImageJ es un programa informático de tratamiento digital de imagen orientado principalmente hacia el ámbito de las ciencias de la salud. Se trata de un software de dominio público y de código abierto desarrollado en lenguaje Java en las instituciones del National Institutes of Health de Estados Unidos. Incluye por defecto potentes herramientas para editar, procesar y analizar imágenes de casi cualquier tipo y formato. Sin embargo, su mayor virtud reside en su extensibilidad: las funcionalidades de ImageJ pueden ampliarse hasta resolver casi cualquier problema de tratamiento digital de imagen mediante macros, scripts y, especialmente, plugins programables en lenguaje Java gracias a la API que ofrece. Además, ImageJ cuenta con repositorios oficiales en los que es posible obtener de forma gratuita macros, scripts y plugins aplicables en multitud de entornos gracias a la labor de la extensa comunidad de desarrolladores de ImageJ, que los depura, mejora y amplia frecuentemente. Este documento es la memoria de un proyecto que consiste en el análisis detallado de las herramientas de tratamiento digital de imagen que ofrece ImageJ. Tiene por objetivo determinar si ImageJ, a pesar de estar más enfocado a las ciencias de la salud, puede resultar útil en el entorno de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería y Sistemas de Telecomunicación de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, y en tal caso, resaltar las características que pudieran resultar más beneficiosas en este ámbito y servir además como guía introductoria. En las siguientes páginas se examinan una a una las herramientas de ImageJ (versión 1.48q), su funcionamiento y los mecanismos subyacentes. Se sigue el orden marcado por los menús de la interfaz de usuario: el primer capítulo abarca las herramientas destinadas a la manipulación de imágenes en general (menú Image); el segundo, las herramientas de procesado (menú Process); el tercero, las herramientas de análisis (menú Analyze); y el cuarto y último, las herramientas relacionadas con la extensibilidad de ImageJ (menú Plugins). ABSTRACT. ImageJ is a digital image processing computer program which is mainly focused at the health sciences field. It is a public domain, open source software developed in Java language at the National Institutes of Health of the United States of America. It includes powerful built-in tools to edit, process and analyze almost every type of image in nearly every format. However, its main virtue is its extensibility: ImageJ functionalities can be widened to solve nearly every situation found in digital image processing through macros, scripts and, specially, plugins programmed in Java language thanks to the ImageJ API. In addition, ImageJ has official repositories where it is possible to freely get many different macros, scripts and plugins thanks to the work carried out by the ImageJ developers community, which continuously debug, improve and widen them. This document is a report which explains a detailed analysis of all the digital image processing tools offered by ImageJ. Its final goal is to determine if ImageJ can be useful to the environment of Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenierfa y Sistemas de Telecomunicacion of Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, in spite of being focused at the health sciences field. In such a case, it also aims to highlight the characteristics which could be more beneficial in this field, and serve as an introductory guide too. In the following pages, all of the ImageJ tools (version 1.48q) are examined one by one, as well as their work and the underlying mechanics. The document follows the order established by the menus in ImageJ: the first chapter covers all the tools destined to manipulate images in general (menu Image); the second one covers all the processing tools (menu Process); the third one includes analyzing tools (menu Analyze); and finally, the fourth one contains all those tools related to ImageJ extensibility (menu Plugins).

Tag detection for preventing unauthorized face image processing

A new technology is being proposed as a solution to the problem of unintentional facial detection and recognition in pictures in which the individuals appearing want to express their privacy preferences, through the use of different tags. The existing methods for face de-identification were mostly ad hoc solutions that only provided an absolute binary solution in a privacy context such as pixelation, or a bar mask. As the number and users of social networks are increasing, our preferences regarding our privacy may become more complex, leaving these absolute binary solutions as something obsolete. The proposed technology overcomes this problem by embedding information in a tag which will be placed close to the face without being disruptive. Through a decoding method the tag will provide the preferences that will be applied to the images in further stages.

Análisis de media de diferencia entre imágenes y su posterior implementación usando Matlab

El proyecto consta de dos partes principales y dos anexos. La primera es teórica, en ella realizamos; a modo de introducción, un estudio sobre el tratamiento digital de la imagen, desarrollando las principales técnicas de tratamiento y análisis de imágenes que pudimos estudiar durante la carrera. Una vez desgranado el análisis nos centraremos en la correlación digital de imagen, su evolución y distintas técnicas, donde nos centramos en la correlación cruzada normalizada que usamos posteriormente para la correlación de imágenes con Matlab. La segunda parte consiste en la implementación de un sencillo programa mediante Matlab en el que podremos evaluar y analizar las diferencias entre dos o más imágenes, pudiendo observar gráficamente la desviación en milímetros entre varias imágenes y su dirección con vectores. Posteriormente analizamos los resultados obtenidos y proponemos posibles mejoras para futuros proyectos de correlación de imágenes digitales. Por último, incluimos un par de anexos en los que incluimos un tutorial para automatizar acciones con Adobe Photoshop para facilitar el pretratamiento de fotografías antes de analizarlas con el script y una posible práctica de laboratorio para futuros alumnos de la escuela utilizando nuestro script de Matlab. ABSTRACT. The project involves two main parts and two annexes. The first is theoretical, it performed; by way of introduction, a study on digital image processing, developing the main treatment techniques and image analysis we were able to study along our career. Once shelled analysis we will focus on digital image correlation, evolution and different techniques, where we focus on normalized cross-correlation which we use later for the correlation of images with Matlab. The second part is the implementation of a simple program using Matlab where we can evaluate and analyze the differences between two or more images and can graphically see the deviation in millimeters between various images and their direction vectors. Then we analyze the results and propose possible improvements for future projects correlation of digital images. Finally, we have a couple of annexes in which we include a tutorial to automate actions with Adobe Photoshop to facilitate pretreatment photographs before analyzing the script and a possible lab for future school students using our Matlab script.

Echolocation detections and digital video surveys provide reliable estimates of the relative density of harbour porpoises

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Erik Rexstad and Rob Williams for useful reviews of this manuscript. The collection of visual and acoustic data was funded by the UK Department of Energy & Climate Change, the Scottish Government, Collaborative Offshore Wind Research into the Environment (COWRIE) and Oil & Gas UK. Digital aerial surveys were funded by Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd and additional funding for analysis of the combined datasets was provided by Marine Scotland. Collaboration between the University of Aberdeen and Marine Scotland was supported by MarCRF. We thank colleagues at the University of Aberdeen, Moray First Marine, NERI, Hi-Def Aerial Surveying Ltd and Ravenair for essential support in the field, particularly Tim Barton, Bill Ruck, Rasmus Nielson and Dave Rutter. Thanks also to Andy Webb, David Borchers, Len Thomas, Kelly McLeod, David L. Miller, Dinara Sadykova and Thomas Cornulier for advice on survey design and statistical approache. Data Accessibility Data are available from the Dryad Digital Repository: http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.cf04g

NOMAD: a versatile strategy for in vitro DNA manipulation applied to promoter analysis and vector design.

Molecular analysis of complex modular structures, such as promoter regions or multi-domain proteins, often requires the creation of families of experimental DNA constructs having altered composition, order, or spacing of individual modules. Generally, creation of every individual construct of such a family uses a specific combination of restriction sites. However, convenient sites are not always available and the alternatives, such as chemical resynthesis of the experimental constructs or engineering of different restriction sites onto the ends of DNA fragments, are costly and time consuming. A general cloning strategy (nucleic acid ordered assembly with directionality, NOMAD; WWW resource locator http:@Lmb1.bios.uic.edu/NOMAD/NOMAD.htm l) is proposed that overcomes these limitations. Use of NOMAD ensures that the production of experimental constructs is no longer the rate-limiting step in applications that require combinatorial rearrangement of DNA fragments. NOMAD manipulates DNA fragments in the form of "modules" having a standardized cohesive end structure. Specially designed "assembly vectors" allow for sequential and directional insertion of any number of modules in an arbitrary predetermined order, using the ability of type IIS restriction enzymes to cut DNA outside of their recognition sequences. Studies of regulatory regions in DNA, such as promoters, replication origins, and RNA processing signals, construction of chimeric proteins, and creation of new cloning vehicles, are among the applications that will benefit from using NOMAD.

Image processing via level set curvature flow.

We present a controlled image smoothing and enhancement method based on a curvature flow interpretation of the geometric heat equation. Compared to existing techniques, the model has several distinct advantages. (i) It contains just one enhancement parameter. (ii) The scheme naturally inherits a stopping criterion from the image; continued application of the scheme produces no further change. (iii) The method is one of the fastest possible schemes based on a curvature-controlled approach.

Caracterização geométrica e mecânica de macrofibras poliméricas.

Uma grande diversidade de macrofibras poliméricas para reforço de concreto se encontram disponibilizadas hoje em dia. Por natureza estas fibras apresentam grande diversidade de características e propriedades. Estas variações afetam sua atuação como reforço no concreto. No entanto, não há normas brasileiras sobre o assunto e as metodologias de caracterização de normas estrangeiras apresentam divergências. Algumas normas definem que a caracterização do comportamento mecânico deva ser feita nos fios originais e outras que se devam utilizar métodos definidos para caracterização de materiais metálicos. A norma EN14889-2:2006 apresenta maior abrangência, mas deixa dúvidas quanto à adequação dos critérios de caracterização geométrica das fibras e não define um método de ensaio específico para sua caracterização mecânica. Assim, há a necessidade de estabelecimento de uma metodologia que permita a realização de um programa de controle de qualidade da fibra nas condições de emprego. Esta metodologia também proporcionaria uma forma de caracterização do material para estudos experimentais, o que permitiria maior fundamentação científica desses trabalhos que, frequentemente, fundamentam-se apenas em dados dos fabricantes. Assim, foi desenvolvido um estudo experimental focando a caracterização de duas macrofibras poliméricas disponíveis no mercado brasileiro. Focou-se o estudo na determinação dos parâmetros geométricos e na caracterização mecânica através da determinação da resistência à tração e avaliação do módulo de elasticidade. Na caracterização geométrica foi adotada como referência a norma europeia EN14889-2:2006. As medições do comprimento se efetuaram por dois métodos: o método do paquímetro e o método de análise de imagens digitais, empregando um software para processamento das imagens. Para a medição do diâmetro, além das metodologias mencionadas, foi usado o método da densidade. Conclui-se que o método do paquímetro, com o cuidado de esticar previamente as macrofibras, e o método das imagens digitais podem ser igualmente utilizados para medir o comprimento. Já parar determinar o diâmetro, recomenda-se o método da densidade. Quanto à caracterização mecânica, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia própria a partir de informações obtidas de outros ensaios. Assim, efetuaram-se ensaios de tração direta nas macrofibras coladas em molduras de tecido têxtil. Complementarmente, foi avaliado também o efeito do contato abrasivo das macrofibras com os agregados durante a mistura em betoneira no comportamento mecânico do material. Também se avaliou o efeito do método de determinação da área da seção transversal nos resultados medidos no ensaio de tração da fibra. Conclui-se que o método proposto para o ensaio de tração direta da fibra é viável, especialmente para a determinação da resistência à tração. O valor do módulo de elasticidade, por sua vez, acaba sendo subestimado. A determinação da área da seção da fibra através do método da densidade forneceu também os melhores resultados. Além disso, comprovou-se que o atrito das fibras com o agregado durante a mistura compromete o comportamento mecânico, reduzindo tanto a resistência quanto o módulo de elasticidade. Assim, pode-se afirmar que a metodologia proposta para o controle geométrico e mecânico das macrofibras poliméricas é adequada para a caracterização do material.

Classificação das amostras do ensaio de Baumann através do processamento digital de imagens.

O presente trabalho apresenta uma alternativa ao processo de classificação do defeito da segregação central em amostras de aço, utilizando as imagens digitais que são geradas durante o ensaio de Baumann. O algoritmo proposto tem como objetivo agregar as técnicas de processamento digital de imagens e o conhecimento dos especialistas sobre o defeito da segregação central, visando a classificação do defeito de referência. O algoritmo implementado inclui a identificação e a segmentação da linha segregada por meio da aplicação da transformada de Hough e limiar adaptativo. Adicionalmente, o algoritmo apresenta uma proposta para o mapeamento dos atributos da segregação central nos diferentes graus de severidade do defeito, em função dos critérios de continuidade e intensidade. O mapeamento foi realizado por meio da análise das características individuais, como comprimento, largura e área, dos elementos segmentados que compõem a linha segregada. A avaliação do desempenho do algoritmo foi realizada em dois momentos específicos, de acordo com sua fase de implementação. Para a realização da avaliação, foram analisadas 255 imagens de amostras reais, oriundas de duas usinas siderúrgicas, distribuídas nos diferentes graus de severidade. Os resultados da primeira fase de implementação mostram que a identificação da linha segregada apresenta acurácia de 93%. As classificações oriundas do mapeamento realizado para as classes de criticidade do defeito, na segunda fase de implementação, apresentam acurácia de 92% para o critério de continuidade e 68% para o critério de intensidade.

Anaerobic Digestion Project Working Guide: A Case Study Analysis and Procedural Summary of Anaerobic Digester Projects for the United States Agricultural Sector

Renewable energy such as biomass has given markets, including dairy farms, an effective approach to reducing the costs of sustaining a profitable business. Anaerobic digestion systems offer dairy farms a very effective way to reduce manure odor, comply with soil and water pollution regulations, manufacture compost for general market sales, produce irrigation capacity and generate on-site electricity as well as the ability to sell excess electricity back to the local utilities. This project defines anaerobic digestion technologies and practices, analyzes case studies and presents a step-by-step anaerobic digestion project startup checklist. The result is an anaerobic digestion project working guide that acts as a tool to aid dairy farmers in their own potential anaerobic digestion project.

Developing Civil Society and a New Leadership Class in Iraq: A Comprehensive Analysis and Business Plan

Following De-Ba'athification, forming a new leadership class will be critical to the success of creating a strong civil society in modern-day Iraq. Implementation of youth educational exchange programs, specifically promoting leadership skills, is a significant part of the solution to stimulating a new generation of leaders. Using the reign of Saddam Hussein and his toppling as a frame of reference, a brief history of Iraq's civil society reveals a need for a new leadership class through the lens of democratic transition and consolidation. After exploring the leadership challenges of post-war nation building, the proposed business plan focuses on implementing a youth leadership program in Iraq, employing a wider participation model, and a lengthier, more involved learning model from existing programs.

Use of subpixel techniques in pocket cameras to measure vibrations and displacements

Presentación oral SPIE Photonics Europe, Brussels, 16-19 April 2012.