Virtual view synthesis using layered depth image generation and depth-based inpainting for filling disocclusions and translucent disocclusions

View synthesis is an efficient solution to produce content for 3DTV and FTV. However, proper handling of the disocclusions is a major challenge in the view synthesis. Inpainting methods offer solutions for handling disocclusions, though limitations in foreground-background classification causes the holes to be filled with inconsistent textures. Moreover, the state-of-the art methods fail to identify and fill disocclusions in intermediate distances between foreground and background through which background may be visible in the virtual view (translucent disocclusions). Aiming at improved rendering quality, we introduce a layered depth image (LDI) in the original camera view, in which we identify and fill occluded background so that when the LDI data is rendered to a virtual view, no disocclusions appear but views with consistent data are produced also handling translucent disocclusions. Moreover, the proposed foreground-background classification and inpainting fills the disocclusions with neighboring background texture consistently. Based on the objective and subjective evaluations, the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the art methods at the disocclusions.     

两种针对小信号的脉压优化算法及实现

结合某雷达项目,针对项目LFM和Taylor编码两种小时宽带宽积(TB)信号脉冲压缩效果不理想的问题,通过对两种不同小TB信号的实际回波波形和特性进行了分析,针对性地使用了倒推法和循环迭代法,获得了优化的脉压系数。试验得出结论,较之传统的匹配滤波脉冲压缩系数,采用优化脉压系数的LFM和Taylor编码小TB信号脉冲压缩主副瓣比均能提高十几dB。     

Photoinduced phase transition accompanied with the changes in magnetic properties

Recently, many studies have been started in search for materials which show a photoinduced phase transition (PIPT). In this work, we review two systems as typical examples of PIPT accompanied with changes in magnetic characteristics; (1) organo-metal complex [Fe(2-pic)₃]Cl₂ EtOH (2-pic = 2-amino-methyl-pyridine) and (2) III-V based magnetic semiconductors (In_1-x , Mn _x )As. In the former case, we show several nonlinear characteristics in dynamical process of photoinduced spin state transition from low-spin to high-spin states. In the latter one, photocarrier-induced ferromagnetic order has been observed by both magnetic and transport measurements.     

Complex dynamics in equilibrium asset pricing models with boundedly rational,heterogeneous agents

We study a simple model based upon the Lucas framework where heterogeneous agents behave rationally in a fully intertemporal setting but do not know other investors' personal preferences, wealth or investment portfolios. As a consequence, agents initially do not know the equilibrium asset pricing function and must make guesses, which they update via adaptive learning with constant gain. We demonstrate that even in this simple environment the economy can, depending on parameters, exhibit either stable convergence to equilibrium, or chaotic dynamical behavior of asset prices and trading volume without converging to the rational expectations equilibrium of the Lucas model. This contradicts the assertion that the Lucas model is stable in the face of modest deviations from the strong assumptions required to compute the equilibrium. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 19: 38–55, 2014     

Two‐Step direct arylation for synthesis of naphthalenediimide‐based conjugated polymer

A naphthalenediimide (NDI)‐based conjugated polymer was synthesized by a two‐step direct C‐H arylation sequence. In the first step, two ethylenedioxythiophene units were coupled to NDI by direct arylation. In the second step, the direct arylation polycondensation of the monomer, formed in the first step, with 2,7‐dibromo‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene afforded the corresponding NDI‐based conjugated polymer ( PEDOTNDIF ) with molecular weight of 21,500 in 91% yield. The optical and electrochemical properties of the polymer were evaluated. The polymer showed ambipolar behavior in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). The electron mobility of PEDOTNDIF was estimated to be 2.3 × 10^?6 cm² V^?1 s^?1 using an OFET device with source‐drain (S‐D) Au electrodes. A modified OFET device with S‐D MgAg electrodes increased the electron mobility for PEDOTNDIF to 1.0 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1 due to the more suitable work function of these electrodes, which reduced the injection barrier to the semiconducting polymer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1401–1407     

Recent advances of ultrasonic testing of cement based materials at early ages

To summarize some of the most important findings in the field of ultrasonic (US) testing of early age hydration and formation of structure of different cement based materials (CBMs), a review of literature with focus on US P-wave transmission and S-wave reflection methods is presented in this paper. The review shows a great ability of both US techniques to observe setting phenomena and to determine different milestones during the early age formation of CBM’s microstructure. Clear physical basis, high accuracy, and non-destructive nature of the method indicate that US methods could become standardized in the near future.     

Evaluating impacts of fish stock enhancement and biodiversity conservation actions on the livelihoods of small‐scale fishers on the Beijiang River,China

Inappropriate development and overexploitation have seriously degraded aquatic resources in China. Stakeholders identified three fish stock enhancement and biodiversity conservation scenarios for the Beijiang River: S1, increased fish restocking; S2, no fishing season and habitat conservation; and S3, strict pollution control. Potential impacts of these actions on the livelihoods of fishers were evaluated using applied economic modeling. Baseline costs and benefits came from logbooks from 30 fishers and a survey of 90 households in three villages. The financial net benefit for a household was US$1583 (￥11,160) annually, representing a 142% and 387% return on capital and operating costs, respectively. Larger catches associated with S1 and S2 generated a net benefit of US$1651 and US$1822, respectively. Strict pollution control resulting in higher catches (+20%) and lower operating costs (?20%) would increase the net benefit by 15.9% to US$1835 annually. Pollution control would benefit other resource users and is a prerequisite for ecological restoration. Recommendations for Resource Managers

• Stringent pollution control measures are essential to conserve aquatic biodiversity and enhance the livelihoods of fishers but will require considerable public and private sector investment.
• Enhanced fish stocks in the Beijiang River could benefit poor livelihoods but may not be sufficient to lift households out of poverty, aged fishers require government assistance to diversify their livelihoods, access alternative urban employment, and survive with dignity.
• Adopting the economic modeling approach presented here could enable responsible authorities to simultaneously evaluate fish stock enhancement and biodiversity conservation options.
• Broader application of the approach presented here could help ensure small‐scale inland fisheries are managed sustainably and aquatic ecosystems are restored and protected by 2020, in line with Target 6 of the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity Strategic Plan for Biodiversity.

     

Hyperspectral image compression based on lapped transform and Tucker decomposition

In this paper, we present a hyperspectral image compression system based on the lapped transform and Tucker decomposition (LT-TD). In the proposed method, each band of a hyperspectral image is first decorrelated by a lapped transform. The transformed coefficients of different frequencies are rearranged into three-dimensional (3D) wavelet sub-band structures. The 3D sub-bands are viewed as third-order tensors. Then they are decomposed by Tucker decomposition into a core tensor and three factor matrices. The core tensor preserves most of the energy of the original tensor, and it is encoded using a bit-plane coding algorithm into bit-streams. Comparison experiments have been performed and provided, as well as an analysis regarding the contributing factors for the compression performance, such as the rank of the core tensor and quantization of the factor matrices.     

A higher resolution edge‐based finite volume method for the simulation of the oil–water displacement in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media using a modified IMPES method

In this article, we present a higher‐order finite volume method with a ‘Modified Implicit Pressure Explicit Saturation’ (MIMPES) formulation to model the 2D incompressible and immiscible two‐phase flow of oil and water in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media. We used a median‐dual vertex‐centered finite volume method with an edge‐based data structure to discretize both, the elliptic pressure and the hyperbolic saturation equations. In the classical IMPES approach, first, the pressure equation is solved implicitly from an initial saturation distribution; then, the velocity field is computed explicitly from the pressure field, and finally, the saturation equation is solved explicitly. This saturation field is then used to re‐compute the pressure field, and the process follows until the end of the simulation is reached. Because of the explicit solution of the saturation equation, severe time restrictions are imposed on the simulation. In order to circumvent this problem, an edge‐based implementation of the MIMPES method of Hurtado and co‐workers was developed. In the MIMPES approach, the pressure equation is solved, and the velocity field is computed less frequently than the saturation field, using the fact that, usually, the velocity field varies slowly throughout the simulation. The solution of the pressure equation is performed using a modification of Crumpton's two‐step approach, which was designed to handle material discontinuity properly. The saturation equation is solved explicitly using an edge‐based implementation of a modified second‐order monotonic upstream scheme for conservation laws type method. Some examples are presented in order to validate the proposed formulation. Our results match quite well with others found in literature. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low‐Fouling Electrosprayed Hemoglobin Nanoparticles with Antioxidant Protection as Promising Oxygen Carriers

Despite all the attempts to create advanced hemoglobin (Hb)‐based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) employing an encapsulation platform, major challenges including attaining a high Hb loading and long circulation times still need to be overcome. Herein, the fabrication, for the first time, of nanoparticles fully made of Hb (Hb‐NPs) employing the electrospray technique is reported. The Hb‐NPs are then coated by antioxidant and self‐polymerized poly(dopamine) (PDA) to minimize the conversion of Hb into nonfunctional methemoglobin (metHb). The PDA shell is further functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to achieve stealth properties. The results demonstrate that the as‐prepared Hb‐NPs are hemo‐ and biocompatible while offering antioxidant protection and decreasing the formation of metHb. Additionally, decoration with PEG results in decreased protein adsorption onto the Hb‐NPs surface, suggesting a prolonged retention time within the body. Finally, the Hb‐NPs also preserve the reversible oxygen‐binding and releasing properties of Hb. All in all, within this study, a novel HBOCs with high Hb content is fabricated and its potential as an artificial blood substitute is evaluated.