Long-term tracking based on spatio-temporal context

Aiming at the problem that the fast tracking algorithm using spatio-temporal context (STC) will inevitably lead to drift and even lose the target in long-term tracking, a new algorithm based on spatio-temporal context that integrates long-term tracking with detecting is proposed in this paper. We track the target by the fast tracking algorithm, and the cascaded search strategy is introduced to the detecting part to relocate the target if the fast tracking fails. To a large extent, the proposed algorithm effectively improves the accuracy and stability of long-term tracking. Extensive experimental results on benchmark datasets show that the proposed algorithm can accurately track and relocate the target though the target is partially or completely occluded or reappears after being out of the scene.     

Direct resolution of the pitch of DNA on positively charged lipid bilayers by frequency-modulation AFM

High resolution structural studies of DNA and DNA binding proteins by atomic force microscopy (AFM) require well-bound samples on suitably flat substrates. Adsorbing the DNA onto a positively charged supported lipid bilayer has previously been shown to be a potentially effective strategy for structural studies with AFM. Here, using our home-built frequency-modulation AFM (FM-AFM), we show that these bilayer substrates are only maximally effective for high resolution AFM when the samples are short, linear DNA, compared with circular plasmid DNA. We find that, with the former sample, the measured width of the DNA is about 2 nm, the known DNA diameter, and there is a clear height modulation along the length of the DNA with a periodicity of about 3.4 nm, in excellent agreement with the known pitch of the double helix. This sample preparation strategy is expected to enable higher resolution studies of DNA and DNA binding proteins with FM-AFM than that can presently be achieved.     

Quantifying travel time variability at a single bottleneck based on stochastic capacity and demand distributions

Travel time reliability, an essential factor in traveler route and departure time decisions, serves as an important quality of service measure for dynamic transportation systems. This article investigates a fundamental problem of quantifying travel time variability from its root sources: stochastic capacity and demand variations that follow commonly used log-normal distributions. A volume-to-capacity ratio-based travel time function and a point queue model are used to demonstrate how day-to-day travel time variability can be explained from the underlying demand and capacity variations. One important finding is that closed-form solutions can be derived to formulate travel time variations as a function of random demand/capacity distributions, but there are certain cases in which a closed-form expression does not exist and numerical approximation methods are required. This article also uses probabilistic capacity reduction information to estimate time-dependent travel time variability distributions under conditions of non-recurring traffic congestion. The proposed models provide theoretically rigorous and practically useful tools for understanding the causes of travel time unreliability and evaluating the system-wide benefit of reducing demand and capacity variability.     

Modeling multi-unit vehicle dynamics for low-speed path-following assessment off-highway

This paper proposes a non-linear dynamics model for articulated vehicles. This model is able to capture common low-speed behaviours of any articulated vehicles off-highway, such as operating for a corner or roundabout on a cambered or slippery surface. It can be used to assess the low-speed manoeuvrability of articulated vehicles under such manoeuvres and conditions. The vehicle model was validated by comparing its path tracking performance to that of the field tests.     

Blast loaded plates

Plates form one of the basic elements of structures. Land-based structures may be subjected to air blast loads during combat environment or terrorist attack, while marine structures may be subjected to either air blast by the attack of a missile above the water surface or an underwater explosion by the attack of a torpedo or a mine or a depth charge and an aircraft structure may be subjected to an in-flight attack by on-board explosive devices. Furthermore, gas explosion occurs in offshore installations and industries. This review focuses on the phenomenological evolution of blast damage of plates.     

Efficient clustering and simulated annealing approach for circuit partitioning

Circuit net list bipartitioning using simulated annealing technique has been proposed in the paper. The method converges asymptotically and probabilistically to global optimization. The circuit net list is partitioned into two partitions such that the number of interconnections between the partitions is minimized. The proposed method begins with an innovative clustering technique to obtain a good initial solution. Results obtained show the versatility of the proposed method in solving non polynomial hard problems of circuit net list partitioning and show an improvement over those available in literature.     

Study on bending conditions of plate in coil box

In a coil box between the roughing and finishing stands on a hot strip mill, a problem has been encountered that the entry region of the plate touches the bending rolls and deforms. As a result, the defective coil occurs. The condition of plate bending, which forms a new deformation feature in coiling, is analyzed. In this paper, the authors focus on the research of the effects of coiling parameters, such as the thickness of plate, roll speed and feeding speed of plate in coil box, and on specific plate bending. A finite element method is developed to simulate this coiling process. Based on numerical simulation, the effects of the coiling parameters on the mechanics and deformation of the bending plate are obtained. Numerical simulation tests have verified the validity of the developed model.     

Comments on enhanced yoking proof protocols for radio frequency identification tags and tag groups

A radio frequency identification (RFID) yoking proof scheme can generate proofs of simultaneous presence of two tags in the range of a specified reader so that an off-line verifier can verify the proofs later. This proof has found several interesting applications. However, many existing RFID yoking schemes are vulnerable to replay attacks. To overcome the weaknesses, Cho et al. proposed a new RFID yoking proof protocol and a new grouping protocol. Unfortunately, Cho et al.’s schemes are still vulnerable to replay attacks. In this paper, in addition to demonstrating weaknesses, we further discuss the rationale behind these weaknesses to provide a guide line for designing secure RFID yoking schemes. Based on the guide line, we propose a new RFID yoking scheme and a new RFID grouping scheme. Performance evaluation shows that our scheme outperforms its counterparts.     

Intermodal Transit System Coordination

In urban areas where transit demand is widely spread, passengers may be served by an intermodal transit system, consisting of a rail transit line (or a bus rapid transit route) and a number of feeder routes connecting at different transfer stations. In such a system, passengers may need one or more transfers to complete their journey. Therefore, scheduling vehicles operating in the system with special attention to reduce transfer time can contribute significantly to service quality improvements. Schedule synchronization may significantly reduce transfer delays at transfer stations where various routes interconnect. Since vehicle arrivals are stochastic, slack time allowances in vehicle schedules may be desirable to reduce the probability of missed connections. An objective total cost function, including supplier and user costs, is formulated for optimizing the coordination of a general intermodal transit network. A four-stage procedure is developed for determining the optimal coordination status among routes at every transfer station. Considering stochastic feeder vehicle arrivals at transfer stations, the slack times of coordinated routes are optimized, by balancing the savings from transfer delays and additional cost from slack delays and operating costs. The model thus developed is used to optimize the coordination of an intermodal transit network, while the impact of a range of factors on coordination (e.g., demand, standard deviation of vehicle arrival times, etc) is examined.     

Policy considerations for wetland wastewater treatment in the coastal zone: A case study for Louisiana

Two major environmental problems currently affecting the Louisiana coastal zone are a high rate of wetland loss and high levels of surface water pollution. The application of secondarily treated wastewater to wetlands can be a means of dealing with both of these problems. The benefits of wetland wastewater treatment include improved surface water quality, increased accretion rates to balance a high relative water level rise due mainly to subsidence, improved plant productivity and habitat quality, and decreased capital outlays for conventional engineering treatment systems. Wetland treatment systems can, therefore, be designed and operated to restore deteriorating wetlands. Hydrologically altered wetlands, which are common in the Louisiana coastal zone, are appropriate for receiving municipal and some types of industrial effluent. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined wetland wastewater treatment is effective in treating municipal effluent, it has discouraged the use of natural wetlands for this purpose. At the same time, funds are being used for the construction of artificial wetlands to treat municipal effluent. In the Louisiana coastal zone, however, wetlands are deteriorating and disappearing due to hydrological alteration and a high rate of relative sea level rise. If no action is taken, these trends will continue. Effluent discharge to existing wetlands should be incorporated into a comprehensive management plan designed to increase sediment and nutrient input into subsiding wetlands in the Louisiana coastal zone, improve water quality, and result in more economical waste‐water treatment. The authors believe that the Louisiana example serves as a model for other coastal areas especially in light of projections of accelerated sea level rise.