Oriented texture classification based on self-organizing neural network and Hough transform

This paper presents a technique for oriented texture classification which is based on the Hough transform and Kohonen's neural network model. In this technique, oriented texture features are extracted from the Hough space by means of two distinct strategies. While the first operates on a non-uniformly sampled Hough space, the second concentrates on the peaks produced in the Hough space. The described technique gives good results for the classification of oriented textures, a common phenomenon in nature underlying an important class of images. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the new technique in comparison, with an implemented technique based on Gabor filters.

The influence of rock fabric in the durability of two sandstones used in the Andalusian Architectural Heritage (Montoro and Ronda, Spain)

Natural stone has been a popular and reliable building material throughout history appearing in many historic monuments and in more recent buildings. Research into the intrinsic properties of specific stones is important because it gives us a greater understanding of the factors that limit and act on them. This can help prevent serious problems from occurring in our buildings bringing both esthetic benefits and financial savings. To this end, the main objective of this research has been to study the influence of the fabric and the mineral composition of two types of sandstone on their durability. The first is a red continental sandstone from the Buntsandstein Age called “Molinaza Roja”, which is quarried in Montoro (Cordoba). The second is quarried in Ronda (Malaga) and is sold under the trade name of “Arenisca Ronda”. It is a light pink-whitish calcarenite deposited during the Late Tortonian to Late Messinian. We characterized their petrological and petrophysical properties by studying their rock fabrics, porous systems and mechanical properties. In order to obtain a complete vision of the behavior of their rock fabrics, we also carried out two decay tests, the salt crystallization and the freeze–thaw tests. We then measured the effects on the textures of the altered samples during and after the decay tests and we evaluated the changes in the porous system. By comparing the results between intact and altered samples, we found that Arenisca Ronda is less durable because it has a high quantity of expandable clays (smectites) and a high percentage of pores in the 0.1–1 μm range, in which the pressure produced by salt crystallization is strongest. In Molinaza Roja the decay agents caused significant sanding due to loss of cohesion between the clasts, especially during the salt crystallization test. In both stones, the anisotropies (oriented textures) have an important role in their hydric and dynamic behavior and also affect their mechanical properties (especially in the compression resistance). No changes in color were detected.

A generative probabilistic oriented wavelet model for texture segmentation

This Letter addresses image segmentation via a generative model approach. A Bayesian network (BNT) in the space of dyadic wavelet transform coefficients is introduced to model texture images. The model is similar to a Hidden Markov model (HMM), but with non-stationary transitive conditional probability distributions. It is composed of discrete hidden variables and observable Gaussian outputs for wavelet coefficients. In particular, the Gabor wavelet transform is considered. The introduced model is compared with the simplest joint Gaussian probabilistic model for Gabor wavelet coefficients for several textures from the Brodatz album [1]. The comparison is based on cross-validation and includes probabilistic model ensembles instead of single models. In addition, the robustness of the models to cope with additive Gaussian noise is investigated. We further study the feasibility of the introduced generative model for image segmentation in the novelty detection framework [2]. Two examples are considered: (i) sea surface pollution detection from intensity images and (ii) image segmentation of the still images with varying illumination across the scene.

Internal stresses and textures of nanostructured alumina scales growing on polycrystalline Fe(3)Al alloy

The evolution of internal stresses in oxide scales growing on polycrystalline Fe(3)Al alloy in atmospheric air at 700 degrees C was determined using in situ energy-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Ex situ texture analyses were performed after 5 h of oxidation at 700 degrees C. Under these conditions, the oxide-scale thickness, as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, lies between 80 and 100 nm. The main phase present in the oxide scales is alpha-Al(2)O(3), with minor quantities of metastable theta-Al(2)O(3) detected in the first minutes of oxidation, as well as alpha-Fe(2)O(3). alpha-Al(2)O(3) grows with a weak (0001) fiber texture in the normal direction. During the initial stages of oxidation the scale develops, increasing levels of compressive stresses which later evolve to a steady state condition situated around -300 MPa. (C) 2010 International Centre for Diffraction Data. [DOI: 10.1154/1.3402764]

ECAP of Fe. Experiments and simulations of the in-elbow textures

The study of deformation properties of low carbon steels is of particular interest because of their many technological applications. Obtaining fine grained Fe based materials can be approached by one of the several available Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) techniques. The current paper shows experimental data and simulations of the deformation process of iron samples by Equal Channel Angular Extrusion (ECAE). The samples were extruded in a 120 degrees channel die either by one or a few passes. The heterogeneity and local development of the deformation on the elbow of the channel has been studied by X-ray measuring and simulation of the texture evolution. The Self Consistent models used for simulation allowed the calculation of the spin of the main texture components which agreed pretty well with the experiments.

Studies of cases in power systems by Sensitivity Analysis oriented by OPF

This paper presents studies of cases in power systems by Sensitivity Analysis (SA) oriented by Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problems in different operation scenarios. The studies of cases start from a known optimal solution obtained by OPF. This optimal solution is called base case, and from this solution new operation points may be evaluated by SA when perturbations occur in the system. The SA is based on Fiacco`s Theorem and has the advantage of not be an iterative process. In order to show the good performance of the proposed technique tests were carried out on the IEEE 14, 118 and 300 buses systems. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Process oriented framework to support PLM implementation

Product lifecycle management (PLM) innovates as it defines both the product as a central element to aggregate enterprise information and the lifecycle as a new time dimension for information integration and analysis. Because of its potential benefits to shorten innovation lead-times and to reduce costs, PLM has attracted a lot of attention at industry and at research. However, the current PLM implementation stage at most organisations still does not apply the lifecycle management concepts thoroughly. In order to close the existing realisation gap, this article presents a process oriented framework to support effective PLM implementation. The framework central point consists of a set of lifecycle oriented business process reference models which links the necessary fundamental concepts, enterprise knowledge and software solutions to effectively deploy PLM. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

MODELING OF AN INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR WINE TRACEABILITY BASED ON A SERVICE ORIENTED ARCHITECTURE

The purpose is to present a scientific research that led to the modeling of an information system which aimed at the maintenance of traceability data in the Brazilian wine industry, according to the principles of a service-oriented architecture (SOA). Since 2005, traceability data maintenance is an obligation for all producers that intend to export to any European Union country. Also, final customers, including the Brazilian ones, have been asking for information about food products. A solution that collectively contemplated the industry was sought in order to permit that producer consortiums of associations could share the costs and benefits of such a solution. Following an extensive bibliographic review, a series of interviews conducted with Brazilian researchers and wine producers in Bento Goncalves - RS, Brazil, elucidated many aspects associated with the wine production process. Information technology issues related to the theme were also researched. The software was modeled with the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and uses web services for data exchange. A model for the wine production process was also proposed. A functional prototype showed that the adopted model is able to fulfill the demands of wine producers. The good results obtained lead us to consider the use of this model in other domains.

Towards modular and coordinated manufacturing systems oriented to services

Nowadays, there is a trend for industry reorganization in geographically dispersed systems, carried out of their activities with autonomy. These systems must maintain coordinated relationship among themselves in order to assure an expected performance of the overall system. Thus, a manufacturing system is proposed, based on ""web services"" to assure an effective orchestration of services in order to produce final products. In addition, it considers special functions, such as teleoperation and remote monitoring, users` online request, among others. Considering the proposed system as discrete event system (DES), techniques derived from Petri nets (PN), including the Production Flow Schema (PFS), can be used in a PFS/PN approach for modeling. The system is approached in different levels of abstraction: a conceptual model which is obtained by applying the PFS technique and a functional model which is obtained by applying PN. Finally, a particular example of the proposed system is presented.

Assessment of the cavitation erosion resistance in high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels: study of the wear mechanisms

Specimens of a UNS S31803 steel were submitted to high temperature gas nitriding and then to vibratory pitting wear tests. Nitrided samples displayed fully austenitic microstructures and 0.9 wt. % nitrogen contents. Prior to pitting tests, sample texture was characterized by electron backscattering diffraction, EBSD. Later on, the samples were tested in a vibratory pit testing equipment using distilled water Pitting tests were periodically interrupted to evaluate mass loss and to characterize the surface wear by SEM observations. At earlier pit erosion, stages intense and highly heterogeneous plastic deformation inside individual grains was observed. Later on, after the incubation period, mass loss by debris detachment was observed. Initial debris micro fracturing was addressed to low cycle fatigue. Damage started at both sites, inside the grains and grain boundaries. The twin boundaries were the most prone to mass-loss incubation. Grains with (101) planes oriented near parallel to the sample surface displayed higher wear resistance than grains with other textures. This was attributed to lower resolved stresses for plastic deformation inside the grains with (101)

Particle size and concentration of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and adipate modified starch blend on mineralization in soils with differing textures

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of particle size and concentration of poly(F.-caprolactone) and adipate modified starch blend on mineralization in soils with differing textures, comparing it with polyethylene under the same experimental conditions. Two soil types were used: a Kandiudalfic Eutrudox with a clayey texture and an Arenic Hapludult with a sandy texture. The two different plastic specimens were incorporated in the form of plastic films with three increasing particle sizes and six doses, from 0 to 2.5 mg C g(-1) soil. Each plastic dose was incorporated into 200 g of soil placed in a hermetically closed jar at 28 degrees C, and incubated for a 120-day period to determine CO(2) evolution. Once again it was confirmed that polyethylene is almost non-biodegradable, in contrast to PCL/S, which can be defined as a biodegradable material. Soil texture affected the mineralization kinetics of the plastic specimens, with higher values for the clayey soil. No changes in soil microbial biomass-C or -N were observed by adding polyethylene and PCL/S to the soil. Also, no significant differences were observed on seed emergence and development of rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L.) in plastic modified soil. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Step-by-Step Approach to Transit Oriented Development Project Delivery

A major challenge in successfully implementing transit-oriented development (TOD) is having a robust process that ensures effective appraisal, initiation and delivery of multi-stakeholder TOD projects. A step-by step project development process can assist in the methodic design, evaluation, and initiation of TOD projects. Successful TOD requires attention to transit, mixed-use development and public space. Brisbane, Australia provides a case-study where recent planning policies and infrastructure documents have laid a foundation for TOD, but where barriers lie in precinct level planning and project implementation. In this context and perhaps in others, the research effort needs to shift toward identification of appropriate project processes and strategies. This paper presents the outcomes of research conducted to date. Drawing on the mainstream approach to project development and financial evaluation for property projects, key steps for potential use in successful delivery of TOD projects have been identified, including: establish the framework; location selection; precinct context review; preliminary precinct design; the initial financial viability study; the decision stage; establishment of project structure; land acquisition; development application; and project delivery. The appropriateness of this mainstream development and appraisal process will be tested through stakeholder research, and the proposed process will then be refined for adoption in TOD projects. It is suggested that the criteria for successful TOD should be broadened beyond financial concerns in order to deliver public sector support for project initiation.

An object-oriented neural network approach to short-term traffic forecasting

This paper discusses an object-oriented neural network model that was developed for predicting short-term traffic conditions on a section of the Pacific Highway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated through a time-lag recurrent network (TLRN) which was developed for predicting speed data up to 15 minutes into the future. The results obtained indicate that the TLRN is capable of predicting speed up to 5 minutes into the future with a high degree of accuracy (90-94%). Similar models, which were developed for predicting freeway travel times on the same facility, were successful in predicting travel times up to 15 minutes into the future with a similar degree of accuracy (93-95%). These results represent substantial improvements on conventional model performance and clearly demonstrate the feasibility of using the object-oriented approach for short-term traffic prediction. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Can we start to think about consensus-oriented clinical practices?

Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute