Approximate Nearest Neighbour Field based Optic Disk Detection

Approximate Nearest Neighbour Field maps are commonly used by computer vision and graphics community to deal with problems like image completion, retargetting, denoising, etc. In this paper, we extend the scope of usage of ANNF maps to medical image analysis, more specifically to optic disk detection in retinal images. In the analysis of retinal images, optic disk detection plays an important role since it simplifies the segmentation of optic disk and other retinal structures. The proposed approach uses FeatureMatch, an ANNF algorithm, to find the correspondence between a chosen optic disk reference image and any given query image. This correspondence provides a distribution of patches in the query image that are closest to patches in the reference image. The likelihood map obtained from the distribution of patches in query image is used for optic disk detection. The proposed approach is evaluated on five publicly available DIARETDB0, DIARETDB1, DRIVE, STARE and MESSIDOR databases, with total of 1540 images. We show, experimentally, that our proposed approach achieves an average detection accuracy of 99% and an average computation time of 0.2 s per image. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Strings vs. spins on the null orbifold

We study the null orbifold singularity in 2+1 d flat space higher spin theory as well as string theory. Using the Chern-Simons formulation of 2+1 d Einstein gravity, we first observe that despite the singular nature of this geometry, the eigenvalues of its Chern-Simons holonomy are trivial. Next, we construct a resolution of the singularity in higher spin theory: a Kundt spacetime with vanishing scalar curvature invariants. We also point out that the UV divergences previously observed in the 2-to-2 tachyon tree level string amplitude on the null orbifold do not arise in the at alpha' -> infinity limit. We find all the divergences of the amplitude and demonstrate that the ones remaining in the tensionless limit are physical IR-type divergences. We conclude with a discussion on the meaning and limitations of higher spin (cosmological) singularity resolution and its potential connection to string theory.

Low thermal conductivity of endogenous manganese silicide/Si composites for thermoelectricity

Higher manganese silicide (HMS) based alloys with eutectic composition (Si-33.3 at% Mn) were prepared by arc-melting, melt-spinning and ball milling in order to evaluate the effect of microstructure on the thermal conductivity. Powder X-ray diffraction, SEM, EPMA and TEM analysis confirmed the presence of Si as a secondary phase distributed in the HMS matrix phase. Thermal properties of the samples were studied in the temperature range of 300-800 K. The microstructure refinement resulting from ball milling leads to a decrease of the thermal conductivity from 4.4 W/mK to 1.9 W/mK, whereas meltspinning is inefficient to this respect. The results show an opportunity to produce bulk higher manganese silicide alloys with reduced thermal conductivity in order to enhance its thermoelectric performance. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermal conductivity of beta-FeSi2/Si endogenous composites formed by the eutectoid decomposition of alpha-Fe2Si5

Thermoelectric properties of semiconducting beta-FeSi2 containing a homogeneous distribution of Si secondary phase have been studied. The synthesis was carried out using arc melting followed by the densification by uniaxial hot pressing. Endogenous beta-FeSi2/Si composites were produced by the eutectoid decomposition of high-temperature alpha-Fe2Si5 phase. The aging heat treatments have been carried out at various temperatures below the equilibrium eutectoid temperature for various durations in order to tune the size of the eutectoid product. Thermal properties of the samples were studied in the temperature range of 100-350 A degrees C. The microstructural investigations support the fact that the finest microstructure generated through the eutectoid decomposition of the alpha-Fe2Si5 metastable phase is responsible of the phonon scattering. The results suggest an opportunity to produce bulk iron silicide alloys with reduced thermal conductivity in order to enhance its thermoelectric performance.

Suggestion of a new dimensionless number for dynamic plastic response of beams and plates

A dimensionless number, termed response number in the present paper, is suggested for the dynamic plastic response of beams and plates made of rigid-perfectly plastic materials subjected to dynamic loading. It is obtained at dimensional reduction of the basic governing equations of beams and plates. The number is defined as the product of the Johnson's damage number and the square of the half of the slenderness ratio for a beam; the product of the damage number and the square of the half of the aspect ratio for a plate or membrane loaded dynamically. Response number can also be considered as the ratio of the inertia force at the impulsive loading to the plastic limit load of the structure. Three aspects are reflected in this dimensionless number: the inertia of the applied dynamic loading, the resistance ability of the material to the deformation caused by the loading and the geometrical influence of the structure on the dynamic response. For an impulsively loaded beam or plate, the final dimensionless deflection is solely dependent upon the response number. When the secondary effects of finite deflections, strain-rate sensitivity or transverse shear are taken into account, the response number is as useful as in the case of simple bending theory. Finally, the number is not only suitable to idealized dynamic loads but also applicable to dynamic loads of general shape.

Influences of the Fish-Mouth Project and the Groins on the Flow and Sediment Ratio of the Yangtze River Waterway

A depth-integrated two-dimensional numerical model of current, salinity and sediment transport was proposed and calibrated by the observation data in the Yangtze River Estuary. It was then applied to investigate the flow and sediment ratio of the navigati

Efecto de diferentes niveles y formas de aplicación del nitrógeno en el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento del maíz (Zea mays L.) en labranza cero y en condiciones de riego

Este experimento fue realizado en el Centro Experimental de Granos Básicos " Humberto Tapia Barquero " con el objetivo de determinar el efecto de cinco niveles y tres formas de aplicación del Nitrógeno y la interacción entre ambos factores en el crecimiento, desarrollo y rendimiento del maíz (Zea mays L.) variedad NB-12 bajo labranza cero. Los niveles estudiados fueron: 0 (testigo) 50, 100, 150 y 200 kg N/ha. Se utilizó urea como fuente de nitrógeno la cual se aplicó en tres formas diferentes: al voleo, en bandas sobre el surco y en bandas incorporadas. Los resultados indican que a partir de los 49 días después de la siembra (DDS) cada nivel de nitrógeno aplicado tuvo efectos significativos sobre las variables de crecimiento y desarrollo, obteniéndose los mayores efectos con los niveles de 150 y 200 kg N/ha los que resultaron estadísticamente similares entre sí.

Períodos críticos de protección contra Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. smith) (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) para producción de chilote en maíz (Zea mays) de riego y primera

Este estudio fue realizado con el objetivo de determinar el periodo critico para el control de spodoptera fruiperda en la producción de chilotes tanto en época de riego como de primera. Para su realización se usó carboofurán al momento de la siembra (30 lbs/mz) y clorpirifos en dósis de 0.5 lts/mz, estableciéndose 8 períodos de protección para s. frugiperda que van desde 0 hasta 50 días después de la emergencia (DDE), tiempo en el cual la planta de maíz es suceptible al ataque de cogollero. Los resultados indican que las aplicaciones de cabofurán no ejercen control sobre corgollero en las 2 épocas de siembra. En primera, cuando las infestaciones son menores del 45% de corgollos infestados, las aplicaciones de clorpirifos resultan innecesarias. en época de Riego 1 aplicación de clorpirifos después de los 20 DDE es suficiente para obtener los rendimientos máximos. Esta aseveración es fundamentada en el análisis económico el que demuestra que los 5 diferentes tratamientos (0-50, 20-40, 20-50 y 10-40 días de protección) ejercen igual control y no existe diferencia estadística entre ellos en relación a la ganancia neta.

Forcing of self-excited round jet diffusion flames

In this experimental and numerical study, two types of round jet are examined under acoustic forcing. The first is a non-reacting low density jet (density ratio 0.14). The second is a buoyant jet diffusion flame at a Reynolds number of 1100 (density ratio of unburnt fluids 0.5). Both jets have regions of strong absolute instability at their base and this causes them to exhibit strong self-excited bulging oscillations at welldefined natural frequencies. This study particularly focuses on the heat release of the jet diffusion flame, which oscillates at the same natural frequency as the bulging mode, due to the absolutely unstable shear layer just outside the flame. The jets are forced at several amplitudes around their natural frequencies. In the non-reacting jet, the frequency of the bulging oscillation locks into the forcing frequency relatively easily. In the jet diffusion flame, however, very large forcing amplitudes are required to make the heat release lock into the forcing frequency. Even at these high forcing amplitudes, the natural mode takes over again from the forced mode in the downstream region of the flow, where the perturbation is beginning to saturate non-linearly and where the heat release is high. This raises the possibility that, in a flame with large regions of absolute instability, the strong natural mode could saturate before the forced mode, weakening the coupling between heat release and incident pressure perturbations, hence weakening the feedback loop that causes combustion instability. © 2009 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Letras, 1991-1992, nº 25-26 (número completo)

Contenido: Palabras del Señor Rector / Guillermo P. Blanco – Testimonio / Juan Roberto Courrèges – Historia de un fervor / Teresa Iris Giovacchini – Homenaje / Luis Martínez Cuitiño – Paul Claudel en una de sus “Odas” / Ángel J. Battistessa – Apertura de Nuevos Mundos: 1492-1969 (Documentos igualmente augurales) / Raúl H. Castagnino – Valor condicional de adjetivos con rasgos de predicativos / Hilda Albano de Vázquez – Buzzati, dos en uno / Daniel H. Capano – La estructura circular de “Adán Buenosayres” / Norma Carricaburo – Una constante poética en la producción dramática de Armando Discépolo: continuidad e innovación en el realismo / Jorge Adrián Dubatti – La Saya/Fuga de J. B. o la novela épico-lúdica de un juglar laborioso / Teresa Iris Giovacchini – Algunas notas sobre el didactismo del Libro de Buen Amor / Elsa C. González Bolia – La “Noche oscura”, de San Juan de la Cruz, poema en diálogo / Teresa Herraiz de Tresca – Bernal Díaz del Castillo y las comunicaciones hispano-aztecas / Ernesto Livacic Gazzano – Hacia una teoría borgeana de la recepción / Luis Martínez Cuitiño – El Árbol, el Bosque y John Fowles (A propósito de la reedición de “The tree”) / Rosa E. M. D. Penna – El orden primero recuperado: “Le livre de Christophe Colomb de Paul Claudel / Paulette Rachou – La Torre de Apolidón y el influjo del Libro de Marco Polo en el Amadís de Gaula / Aquilino Suárez Pallasá – Jorge Manrique en la tradición literaria del amor y de la muerte / Lía Noemí Uriarte Rebaudi – Reseñas bibliográficas

La independencia política, de la segunda escolástica a “Maastricht” (y vuelta)

Resumen: El artículo trata la cuestión del poder político como superiorem non recognoscens en Vitoria y Suárez, y vincula los principios de la escolástica aristotélica del siglo de oro con un fallo contemporáneo clave, con el fin de destacar el sentido y valor del principio de independencia política, un eje de los fundamentos del derecho internacional público moderno afirmado por la escuela española.

Modelling soot formation in a DISI engine

In this work, the formation of soot in a Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) engine is simulated using the Stochastic Reactor Model (SRM) engine code. Volume change, convective heat transfer, turbulent mixing, direct injection and flame propagation are accounted for. In order to simulate flame propagation, the cylinder is divided into an unburned, entrained and burned zone, with the rate of entrainment being governed by empirical equations but combustion modelled with chemical kinetics. The model contains a detailed chemical mechanism as well as a highly detailed soot formation model, however computation times are relatively short. The soot model provides information on the morphology and chemical composition of soot aggregates along with bulk quantities, including soot mass, number density, volume fraction and surface area. The model is first calibrated by simulating experimental data from a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Spark Ignition (SI) engine. The model is then used to simulate experimental data from the literature, where the numbers, sizes and derived mass particulate emissions from a 1.83 L, 4-cylinder, 4 valve production DISI engine were examined. Experimental results from different injection and spark timings are compared with the model and the qualitative trends in aggregate size distribution and emissions match the exhaust gas measurements well. © 2010 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

La excéntrica centralidad de las materias artúrica y caballeresca en la narrativa gallega y catalana de la década de 1950 (Merlín e familia de Cunqueiro y Llibre cavalleries de Perucho)

Integran este número de la revista ponencias presentadas en Studia Hispanica Medievalia VIII: Actas de las IX Jornadas Internacionales de Literatura Española Medieval, 2008, y de Homenaje al Quinto Centenario de Amadis de Gaula