A NOVEL FACE DETECTION AND TRACKING ALGORITHM IN REAL- TIME VIDEO SEQUENCES

Face detection is a image processing technology that determines the location and size of human faces in digital images or video. This module precedes face recognition systems that plays an important role in applications such as video surveillance, human computer interaction and so on. This proposed work focuses mainly on multiple face detection technique, taking into account the variations in digital images or video such as face pose, appearances and illumination. The work is based on skin color model in YCbCr and HSV color space. First stage of this proposed method is to develop a skin color model and then applying the skin color segmentation in order to specify all skin regions in an image. Secondly, a template matching is done to assure that the segmented image does not contain any non-facial part. This algorithm works to be robust and efficient

Interlayer Registry Determines the Sliding Potential of Layered Metal Dichalcogenides: The case of 2H-MoS2

We provide a simple and intuitive explanation for the interlayer sliding energy landscape of metal dichalcogenides. Based on the recently introduced registry index (RI) concept, we define a purely geometrical parameter which quantifies the degree of interlayer commensurability in the layered phase of molybdenum disulphide (2HMoS2). A direct relation between the sliding energy landscape and the corresponding interlayer registry surface of 2H-MoS2 is discovered thus marking the registry index as a computationally efficient means for studying the tribology of complex nanoscale material interfaces in the wearless friction regime.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure

Quantifying the Stacking Registry Matching in Layered Materials

A detailed account of a recently developed method [Marom et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 046801 (2010)] to quantify the registry mismatch in layered materials is presented. The registry index, which was originally defined for planar hexagonal boron-nitride, is extended to treat graphitic systems and generalized to describe multi-layered nanotubes. It is shown that using simple geometric considerations it is possible to capture the complex physical features of interlayer sliding in layered materials. The intuitive nature of the presented model and the efficiency of the related computations suggest that the method can be used as a powerful characterization tool for interlayer interactions in complex layered systems.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. To be published in a special issue of the Israel Journal of Chemistry regarding "Inorganic Nanotubes and Nanostructures

Taking reincarnation seriously: Critical discussion of some central ideas from John Hick

Reincarnation has not been entirely neglected in the philosophy of religion but it has not always been taken seriously or carefully discussed in relation to its role in believers’ lives. John Hick is exceptional insofar as he gave sustained attention to the belief, at least as it features in the philosophies of Vedānta and Buddhism. While acknowledging the value of Hick’s recognition of the variety of reincarnation beliefs, this article critically engages with certain aspects of his approach. It argues that Hick’s search for a ‘criterion’ of reincarnation is misguided, and that his distinction between ‘factual’ and ‘mythic’ forms of the doctrine is over-simplifying

Karma, morality, and evil

The doctrine of karma has been praised as a rational and morally edifying explanatory response to the existence of evil and apparent injustice in the world. Critics have attacked it as a morally misguided dogma that distorts one's vision of reality. This essay, after outlining the traditional doctrine, examines three criticisms that have been central to recent debates: firstly, that the doctrine offers no practical guidance; second, that it faces a dilemma between free will and fatalism; and third, that it involves a morally repugnant form of blaming victims for their own misfortunes. Possible responses are considered, the depth of the disagreement is highlighted, and a morally significant difference between alternative ways of articulating the belief in karma is analyzed

Electromechanical properties of suspended Graphene Nanoribbons

Graphene nanoribbons present diverse electronic properties ranging from semiconducting to half-metallic, depending on their geometry, dimensions and chemical composition. Here we present a route to control these properties via externally applied mechanical deformations. Using state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations combined with classical elasticity theory considerations, we find a remarkable Young's modulus value of ~7 TPa for ultra-narrow graphene strips and a pronounced electromechanical response towards bending and torsional deformations. Given the current advances in the synthesis of nanoscale graphene derivatives, our predictions can be experimentally verified opening the way to the design and fabrication of miniature electromechanical sensors and devices based on ultra-narrow graphene nanoribbons.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Differential Susceptibility of Mixed Polymicrobial Biofilms Involving Ocular Coccoid Bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis) and a Filamentous Fungus (Fusarium solani) on Ex Vivo Human Corneas

Biofilms confer several advantages to the organisms associated with them, such as increased resistances to antibacterial and antifungal compounds compared to free living cells. Compared to monomicrobial biofilms involving a single microorganism, biofilms composed of microorganisms affiliated to bacterial and fungal kingdoms are predominant in nature. Despite the predominance of polymicrobial biofilms, and more so mixed polymicrobial biofilms, they are rarely studied. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the potential of ocular bacteria and a filamentous fungus to form monomicrobial and mixed polymicrobial biofilms on synthetic and natural substrates and to monitor their response to antibiotics. In this sense, we demonstrated that the ocular pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Fusarium solani form monomicrobial and mixed polymicrobial biofilms both on tissue culture polystyrene plates and on ex vivo human corneas from cadavers using confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the mixed polymicrobial biofilms involving the above ocular bacteria and a filamentous fungus were less susceptible to different antibacterials and antifungals in relation to the corresponding control planktonic cells. Further, the MICs to the screened antibacterials and antifungals in polymicrobial biofilms involving a bacterium or a fungus was either increased, decreased, or unchanged compared to the corresponding individual bacterial or fungal biofilm. The results would be useful to the ophthalmologist to plan effective treatment regimens for the eye since these are common pathogens of the eye causing keratitis, endophthalmitis, conjunctivitis, etc

Beräkning av intäkter för elproduktion i solceller på Kungliga Tennishallen

I  en värld  med ökande energibehov och stora miljö på frestningarär  förnybar energi en lösning som skulle kunna tillgodose  alla behov.  En sorts  förnybar energi är  solcellsenergi,   men solcellsanläggningar kan  vara  svåra  att  få ekonomiskt  lönsamma  i  Sverige.  Detta del projekt är  en del i  ett större  projekt vars gemensamma  mål är  att utföra  en lönsamhetsalanys  på en tänkt solcellsanläggning  i Stockholm.  Må let med detta delprojekt är  att undersöka hur mycket elsom en solcellsan läggning pa˚ Kungliga Tennishallen i Stockholm kan producera då anläggningen antas vara 100% tillförlitlig. I delprojektet  undersöks även värdet av elproduktionen om den säljs på Nord Pool Spot eller den summa som sparas genom att förbruka elen. I den ekonomiska analysen studeras möjligheter för  prissäkring, osäkerheter i den framtida elmarknaden  och olika bidrag. För  att uppskatta  produktion  och vinst har en litteraturstudie utförts, och gemensamt  med övriga delprojekthar  en övergripande  lönsamhetsanalys  utförts. Produktionen uppskattas  till  69,8 MWh  per år  då en anläggning  med en installerad effekt på 46,64 kW installeras. Om hela produktionen förbrukas reduceras elkostnaden med 45 370 kr per år och säljs all el på Nord Pool Spot blir vinsten 20 050 kr. Då all el sälja erhålls elcertifikat för 12 780 kr.In a world with increasing energy consumption, and where a large part of the energy is based on non-environmental sources, renewable energy is a solution that could help to satisfy all needs. One kind of renewable energy is solar energy, but to obtain economic viability for solar plants in countries such as Sweden can be hard. This project is part of a larger project aiming to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of an imaginary solar plant in Stockholm. The goal of this sub-project is to investigate how much electricity a solar plant at the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm can produce assuming that the plant is 100 % reliable. The sub-project also compares the potential revenue if the electricity is sold on the Nord Pool Spot with the potential savings from not having to buy the produced amount from electric companies. In the economic analysis, possibilities for hedging, uncertainties in future electricity market and various grants are studied. In order to estimate production and profit a literature study has been conducted. An overall cost benefit analysis has been performed together with the other sub-projects. The annual production of a plant with an installed capacity of 46.64 kW has been estimated to 68.6 MWh. If all the electricity produced is consumed instead of being sold, the electricity costs would be reduced by 57,150 SEK annually