Fractal dimension, wavelet shrinkage and anomaly detection for mine hunting

An anomaly detection approach is considered for the mine hunting in sonar imagery problem. The authors exploit previous work that used dual-tree wavelets and fractal dimension to adaptively suppress sand ripples and a matched filter as an initial detector. Here, lacunarity inspired features are extracted from the remaining false positives, again using dual-tree wavelets. A one-class support vector machine is then used to learn a decision boundary, based only on these false positives. The approach exploits the large quantities of 'normal' natural background data available but avoids the difficult requirement of collecting examples of targets in order to train a classifier. © 2012 The Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Slow peaking and low-gain designs for global stabilization of nonlinear systems

This paper presents an analysis of the slow-peaking phenomenon, a pitfall of low-gain designs that imposes basic limitations to large regions of attraction in nonlinear control systems. The phenomenon is best understood on a chain of integrators perturbed by a vector field up(x, u) that satisfies p(x, 0) = 0. Because small controls (or low-gain designs) are sufficient to stabilize the unperturbed chain of integrators, it may seem that smaller controls, which attenuate the perturbation up(x, u) in a large compact set, can be employed to achieve larger regions of attraction. This intuition is false, however, and peaking may cause a loss of global controllability unless severe growth restrictions are imposed on p(x, u). These growth restrictions are expressed as a higher order condition with respect to a particular weighted dilation related to the peaking exponents of the nominal system. When this higher order condition is satisfied, an explicit control law is derived that achieves global asymptotic stability of x = 0. This stabilization result is extended to more general cascade nonlinear systems in which the perturbation p(x, v) v, v = (ξ, u) T, contains the state ξ and the control u of a stabilizable subsystem ξ = a(ξ, u). As an illustration, a control law is derived that achieves global stabilization of the frictionless ball-and-beam model.

Systematic misregistration and the statistical analysis of surface data.

Spatial normalisation is a key element of statistical parametric mapping and related techniques for analysing cohort statistics on voxel arrays and surfaces. The normalisation process involves aligning each individual specimen to a template using some sort of registration algorithm. Any misregistration will result in data being mapped onto the template at the wrong location. At best, this will introduce spatial imprecision into the subsequent statistical analysis. At worst, when the misregistration varies systematically with a covariate of interest, it may lead to false statistical inference. Since misregistration generally depends on the specimen's shape, we investigate here the effect of allowing for shape as a confound in the statistical analysis, with shape represented by the dominant modes of variation observed in the cohort. In a series of experiments on synthetic surface data, we demonstrate how allowing for shape can reveal true effects that were previously masked by systematic misregistration, and also guard against misinterpreting systematic misregistration as a true effect. We introduce some heuristics for disentangling misregistration effects from true effects, and demonstrate the approach's practical utility in a case study of the cortical bone distribution in 268 human femurs.

Otolith characteristics and age determination of an endemic Ptychobarbus dipogon (Regan, 1905) (Cyprinidae: Schizothoracinae) in the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Tibet

We describe the microincrements, checks and annuli in the lapilli of the schizothoracine Ptychobarbus dipogon, an endemic species of the Tibetan plateau. We collected samples in the Yarlung Tsangpo River and its tributaries on a monthly basis (from April 2004 to August 2006). We describe the shape features of the three pairs of otoliths and document the full trajectory of lapillus development. We found that five to seven checks were clearly visible in the opaque zone of the first annulus. The pattern of 21-23 daily growth increments within each check might be explained as a lunar-induced deposition. We counted between 137 and 154 increments within the first annulus. Annuli appeared as a sequence of gradually declining increment widths, whereas false rings were characterized by abrupt checks. Our oldest estimates were 23(+)years for males and 44(+) for females. The time of annulus completion was clearly between March and April each year using monthly marginal increments analysis. We consider the factors responsible for daily increment formation as an endogenous circadian rhythm. Environmental information, such as strong sunlight and cold water temperatures in the Tibetan Plateau, could reinforce the endogenous daily cycle. Our results provided important data addressing the ecology and population dynamics of P. dipogon.

Robust recognition of chess-boards under deformation

Current methods for formation of detected chess-board vertices into a grid structure tend to be weak in situations with a warped grid, and false and missing vertex-features. In this paper we present a highly robust, yet efficient, scheme suitable for inference of regular 2D square mesh structure from vertices recorded both during projection of a chess-board pattern onto 3D objects, and in the more simple case of camera calibration. Examples of the method's performance in a lung function measuring application, observing chess-boards projected on to patients' chests, are given. The method presented is resilient to significant surface deformation, and tolerates inexact vertex-feature detection. This robustness results from the scheme's novel exploitation of feature orientation information. © 2013 IEEE.

Age and growth of an endemic cyprinid fish, Spinibarbus yunnanensis, from Lake Fuxian, China

Age and growth of Spinibarbus yunnanensis Tsu in Lake Fuxian were investigated by examination of annuli from scales, dorsal fin spines, and otoliths. Sectioned otoliths exhibited the clearest and the most regular annuli. The formation of false annuli, which regularly arose on scales and dorsal fin spines during the juvenile stage, may be caused by a change in diet during development. The parameters for the von Bertalanffy growth curve were: K = 0.105, L-infinity = 950 mm, t(0) = -0.22 year for both sexes. W-infinity, calculated from the relationship W-infinity = aL(infinity)(b), was 10,352 g.

A passive acoustic monitoring method applied to observation and group size estimation of finless porpoises

The present study aimed at determining the detection capabilities of an acoustic observation system to recognize porpoises under local riverine conditions and compare the results with sighting observations. Arrays of three to five acoustic data loggers were stationed across the main channel of the Tian-e-zhou Oxbow of China's Yangtze River at intervals of 100-150 m to record sonar. signals of free-ranging finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides). Acoustic observations, concurrent with visual observations, were conducted at two occasions on 20-22 October 2003 and 17-19 October 2004. During a total of 42 h of observation, 316 finless porpoises were sighted and 7041 sonar signals were recorded by loggers. The acoustic data loggers recorded ultrasonic signals of porpoises clearly, and detected the presence of porpoises with a correct detection level of 77.6% and a false alarm level of 5.8% within an effective distance of 150 m. Results indicated that the stationed passive acoustic observation method was effective in detecting the presence of porpoises and showed potential in estimating the group size. A positive linear correlation between the number of recorded signals and the group size of sighted porpoises was indicated, although it is faced with some uncertainty and requires further investigation. (C) 2005 Acoustical Society of America.

Comparison between visual and passive acoustic detection of finless porpoises in the Yangtze river, China

Recently, sonar signals and other sounds produced by cetaceans have been used for acoustic detection of individuals and groups in the wild. However, the detection probability ascertained by concomitant visual survey has not been demonstrated extensively. The finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) have narrow band and high-frequency sonar signals, which are distinctive from background noises. Underwater sound monitoring with hydrophones (B&K8103) placed along the sides of a research vessel, concurrent with visual observations was conducted in the Yangtze River from Wuhan to Poyang Lake in 1998 in China. The peak to peak detection threshold was set at 133 dB re 1 mu Pa. With this threshold level, porpoises could be detected reliably within 300 m of the hydrophone. In a total of 774-km cruise, 588 finless porpoises were sighted by visual observation and 44 864 ultrasonic pulses were recorded by the acoustical observation system. The acoustic monitoring system could detect the presence of the finless porpoises 82% of the time. A false alarm in the system occurred with a frequency of 0.9%. The high-frequency acoustical observation is suggested as an effective method for field surveys of small cetaceans, which produce high-frequency sonar signals. (C) 2001 Acoustical Society of America.

Ground target detection, classification and sensor fusion in distributed fiber seismic sensor network - art. no. 683015

This paper describes the ground target detection, classification and sensor fusion problems in distributed fiber seismic sensor network. Compared with conventional piezoelectric seismic sensor used in UGS, fiber optic sensor has advantages of high sensitivity and resistance to electromagnetic disturbance. We have developed a fiber seismic sensor network for target detection and classification. However, ground target recognition based on seismic sensor is a very challenging problem because of the non-stationary characteristic of seismic signal and complicated real life application environment. To solve these difficulties, we study robust feature extraction and classification algorithms adapted to fiber sensor network. An united multi-feature (UMF) method is used. An adaptive threshold detection algorithm is proposed to minimize the false alarm rate. Three kinds of targets comprise personnel, wheeled vehicle and tracked vehicle are concerned in the system. The classification simulation result shows that the SVM classifier outperforms the GMM and BPNN. The sensor fusion method based on D-S evidence theory is discussed to fully utilize information of fiber sensor array and improve overall performance of the system. A field experiment is organized to test the performance of fiber sensor network and gather real signal of targets for classification testing.

reducing symmetries to generate easier sat instances

Finding countermodels is an effective way of disproving false conjectures. In first-order predicate logic, model finding is an undecidable problem. But if a finite model exists, it can be found by exhaustive search. The finite model generation problem in the first-order logic can also be translated to the satisfiability problem in the propositional logic. But a direct translation may not be very efficient. This paper discusses how to take the symmetries into account so as to make the resulting problem easier. A static method for adding constraints is presented, which can be thought of as an approximation of the least number heuristic (LNH). Also described is a dynamic method, which asks a model searcher like SEM to generate a set of partial models, and then gives each partial model to a propositional prover. The two methods are analyzed, and compared with each other.

Architecture research and hardware implementation on simplified neural computing system for face identification

This paper describes a special-purpose neural computing system for face identification. The system architecture and hardware implementation are introduced in detail. An algorithm based on biomimetic pattern recognition has been embedded. For the total 1200 tests for face identification, the false rejection rate is 3.7% and the false acceptance rate is 0.7%.

制革废水生物强化处理及中水回用试验研究

制革行业是轻工行业中仅次于造纸业的高耗水、重污染行业，作为劳动密集型行业，在解决大量人口就业问题的同时，也对所在地区环境造成了严重污染。目前我国制革行业每年排放废水8,000~12,000万吨，废水中含铬约3,500 t，SS为1.2×105 t，COD为1.8×105 t，BOD为7×104 t，对水体污染严重。 本研究在对厌氧酸化工艺进行研究、一级好氧处理段进行工艺比选研究的基础上，获得了匀质调节—SBBR—BAF的生物处理工艺，并依托该工艺进行了生物强化处理的研究，考察了菌剂的强化运行效果及其处理水回用的可行性。 研究表明，在进水COD＞3,000 mg/L，厌氧酸化具有很好的抗冲击作用，保证了好氧工艺出水COD＜200 mg/L；在进水COD＜3,000 mg/L，可只通过好氧处理实现出水COD＜200 mg/L。厌氧酸化停留时间选择不当，会导致厌氧出水硫化物浓度升高，严重影响好氧系统，会使好氧活性污泥因中毒而解絮。 研究表明，当进水COD为2,000~2,500 mg/L，NH4+-N为130~146 mg/L时，COD、NH4+-N去除率SBBR分别为93.8%~96.6%和14.5%~55.9%，SBR分别为88.8%~94.9%和13%~50.7%，表明SBBR优于SBR。同时，研究发现SBBR污泥增长率为0.05 kgVSS/kgCOD，仅为SBR0.57 kgVSS/kgCOD的8.8%。此外，研究发现SBBR在停止运行后经3个运行周期可回复原油能力，而SBR池经9个周期培养也不能恢复，说明SBBR恢复能力明显优于SBR。 研究表明，以匀质调节—SBBR—BAF为主的制革废水处理工艺，出水水质稳定，进水COD 801~2,834 mg/L、NH4+-N 87~203 mg/L，出水COD＜80 mg/L、NH4+-N＜10 mg/L，基本达到中水回用标准；操作简单灵活，没有污泥回流系统，污泥产率低，污泥处理费用低；工艺基本不需要添加化学药剂，既节约成本、又避免了二次污染；两级生物膜使得该工艺具有很强的耐冲击负荷能力，特别适合制革废水水质水量波动大的特点。 研究表明，高效菌对系统的启动具有一定的促进作用，强化系统生物膜6天可以成熟，对照系统生物膜9天可以成熟。同时高效菌能加速COD降解，缩短停留时间，强化系统6~8 h可使COD＜200 mg/L，对照系统8~10 h可使COD＜200 mg/L。长期运行表明，强化系统的SBBR在COD和NH4+-N的去除率都优于对照系统的SBBR。最终出水COD强化系统平均为53 mg/L、对照系统为74 mg/L。在模拟循环过程中，强化系统均有更高的稳定性。可实现8次理论循环，而对照系统只能实现4次理论循环。 研究表明，通过合理的工艺设计，可以实现猪皮制革废水达到《污水综合排放标准GB8976-1996》一级标准，同时满足工厂部分用水要求。通过添加高效微生物，可提高生物处理系统处理能力，使处理水能够满足工厂的多次回用。 As a labour-intensive industry, tanning has created large amount of working opportunities as well as caused severe contamination to environment. And it is one of the highest water-consuming and polluting industry, only second to manufacturing. At present time, Chinese leather industry emits wastewater about 80,000,000~120,000,000 t annually, which contains chromium about 3,500 t, SS 1.2×105 t, COD 1.8×105 t, BOD 7×104 t and ambient riverhead has been polluted greatly. Based on the research of anaerobic acidification and comparison of SBBR and SBR, biotreatment process (Homogenization—SBBR—BAF) had been established to amend the disadvantages of traditional sewage treatment such as too much sludge, high cost of advanced treatment and NH4+-N can not reach the emission standard. Research on the bioaugmentation was also been carried out. Researches showed, when COD of influent was beyond 3,000 mg/L, anaerobic acidification could resist strong impact, thus COD of effluent was less than 200 mg/L; when COD of influent was less than 3,000 mg/L, only throughout aerobic sewage treatment could COD of effluent beless than 200 mg/L. False residence tiome of anaerobic acidification would lead to the higher effluent concentration of sulfide and disintegration of aerobic activated sludge. Researches showed SBBR worked a better than SBR: when influent between 2,000 and 2,500 mg/L, NH4+-N between 130 mg/L and 146 mg/L, COD, NH4+-N removal rate of SBBR was 93.3%~96.6%, 14.5%~55.9% respectively while COD, NH4+-N removal rate of SBR was 88.8%~94.9%, 13%~50.7% respectively. Sludge growth rate of SBBR was 8.8% of that of 0.05 kgVSS/kgCOD. Besides, SBBR could recovered after 3 operating periods while SBR worked no better after 9 operating periods.Therefore, SBBR excelled SBR. Researches showed, effluent quantity of tannery wastewater treatment process (Homogenization—SBBR—BAF) was stable. When COD of influent was between 801 and 2,834 mg/L, NH4+-N was between 87 mg/L and 203 mg/L, COD of effluent was less than 80 mg/L, NH4+-N was less than 10 mg/L, which achieved the standard of reuse. This biotreatment was featured in low cost, easy and flexible management, less sludge, no inverse sludge system. Besides, this technique required no chemical, which could lower the cost and avoid secondary pollution. Great resistant of impact due to two membranes and was suitable for tannery wastewater which was featured by fluctuation of influent quality and quantity. Researches showed effective microorganisms promotes the startup of the process.Biofilm in the bioaugmentation process matured with 6 days while biofilm in normal process matured with 9 days. Effective microorganisms could accelerate the degradation of COD and shorten the residence time. Aggrandizement system could make COD<200 mg/L with 6 to8 hours while cntrolling system could make COD<200 mg/L with 8 to 10 hours. Long-term operating shows that SBBR in the bioaugmentation system worked better than the normal system in the treatment of COD and NH4+-N. The average COC of effluent in bioaugmentation system was 53 mg/L, normal system was 74 mg/L. In the simulative circulation process,aggrandizement process, which could fulfill 8 times theoretical circulation, works more stably than controlling process which could only fulfill 4 times theoretical circulation. Researches showed that reasonable design could make the wastewater meet the first grade of discharging standard of National Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard (GB8976-1996), and partially meet the demand of water using of the factory. Adding effective microorganisms could enhance the biotreatment and make the effluents reuse many times.

Phosphoproteome analysis of mouse liver using immobilized metal affinity purification and linear ion trap mass spectrometry

Since protein phosphorylation is a dominant mechanism of information transfer in cells, there is a great need for methods capable of accurately elucidating sites of phosphorylation. In recent years mass spectrometry has become an increasingly viable alternative to more traditional methods of phosphorylation analysis. The present study used immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC coupled with a linear ion trap mass spectrometer to analyze phosphorylated proteins in mouse liver. A total of 26 peptide sequences defining 26 sites of phosphorylation were determined. Although this number of identified phosphoproteins is not large, the approach is still of interest because a series of conservative criteria were adopted in data analysis. We note that, although the binding of non-phosphorylated peptides to the IMAC column was apparent, the improvements in high-speed scanning and quality of MS/MS spectra provided by the linear ion trap contributed to the phosphoprotein identification. Further analysis demonstrated that MS/MS/MS analysis was necessary to exclude the false-positive matches resulting from the MS/MS experiments, especially for multiphosphorylated peptides. The use of the linear ion trap considerably enabled exploitation of nanoflow-HPLC/MS/MS, and in addition MS/MS/MS has great potential in phosphoproteome research of relatively complex samples. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

On Combining Morphological Component Analysis and Concentric Morphology Model for Mammographic Mass Detection

Mammographic mass detection is an important task for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. However, it is difficult to distinguish masses from normal regions because of their abundant morphological characteristics and ambiguous margins. To improve the mass detection performance, it is essential to effectively preprocess mammogram to preserve both the intensity distribution and morphological characteristics of regions. In this paper, morphological component analysis is first introduced to decompose a mammogram into a piecewise-smooth component and a texture component. The former is utilized in our detection scheme as it effectively suppresses both structural noises and effects of blood vessels. Then, we propose two novel concentric layer criteria to detect different types of suspicious regions in a mammogram. The combination is evaluated based on the Digital Database for Screening Mammography, where 100 malignant cases and 50 benign cases are utilized. The sensitivity of the proposed scheme is 99% in malignant, 88% in benign, and 95.3% in all types of cases. The results show that the proposed detection scheme achieves satisfactory detection performance and preferable compromises between sensitivity and false positive rates.

Improving Ship Detection with Polarimetric SAR based on Convolution between Co-polarization Channels

The convolution between co-polarization amplitude only data is studied to improve ship detection performance. The different statistical behaviors of ships and surrounding ocean are characterized a by two-dimensional convolution function (2D-CF) between different polarization channels. The convolution value of the ocean decreases relative to initial data, while that of ships increases. Therefore the contrast of ships to ocean is increased. The opposite variation trend of ocean and ships can distinguish the high intensity ocean clutter from ships' signatures. The new criterion can generally avoid mistaken detection by a constant false alarm rate detector. Our new ship detector is compared with other polarimetric approaches, and the results confirm the robustness of the proposed method.