MPP: A Novel Algorithm for Estimating Vehicle Space Headways from a Single Image

Vehicle space headway, also called spacing, is an important and basic traffic parameter. Traditional space headway calculation methods are facing the problems of large errors and high costs. This paper presents a novel algorithm based on measurement point pairs (MPPs) to estimate the real-time microcosmic vehicle space headway from single images in existing traffic surveillance videos and images without any additional equipment. First, the camera is calibrated with road markings to obtain the relationship between the image coordinates and the world coordinates. Second, vehicle pairs of two successive vehicles in the image are established, measurement points on each vehicle are selected by video intelligence analysis technologies, and their world coordinates are calculated by camera calibration results. Finally, the measurement points of the preceding and following vehicles are matched to obtain the MPPs, followed by the calculation of the weighted space headway. By using the measurement point information, one of the most difficult problems in image distance measurement, the lack of height information, is solved. The main factors causing estimation errors are fully addressed and the range and trend of errors under certain conditions are given by virtual simulation. Two real-world experiments are used to prove the accuracy and usability of the MPP in common video scenes: the simulation experiment indicates that the MPP algorithm achieves a high accuracy with estimation error less than ±0.1 m and the relative error within 1.1%; the application experiment shows that the MPP-based calculation is more accurate and stable than the state-of-the-art distance measurement algorithm and that the convenience of the proposed MPP algorithm is higher than that of traditional methods of space headway estimation. Document type: Articl

Magic wavelengths for the 6s^2\,^1S_0-6s6p\,^3P_1^o transition in ytterbium atom

The static and dynamic electric-dipole polarizabilities of the 6s^2\,^1S_0 and 6s6p\,^3P_1^o states of Yb are calculated by using the relativistic ab initio method. Focusing on the red detuning region to the 6s^2\,^1S_0-6s6p\,^3P_1^o transition, we find two magic wavelengths at 1035.7(2) nm and 612.9(2) nm for the 6s^2\,^1S_0-6s6p\,^3P_1^o, M_J=0 transition and three magic wavelengthes at 1517.68(6) nm, 1036.0(3) nm and 858(12) nm for the 6s^2\,^1S_0-6s6p\,^3P_1^o, M_J=\pm1 transitions. Such magic wavelengths are of particular interest for attaining the state-insensitive cooling, trapping, and quantum manipulation of neutral Yb atom.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

A Robust Quantum Random Access Memory

A "bucket brigade" architecture for a quantum random memory of $N=2^n$ memory cells needs $n(n+5)/2$ times of quantum manipulation on control circuit nodes per memory call. Here we propose a scheme, in which only average $n/2$ times manipulation is required to accomplish a memory call. This scheme may significantly decrease the time spent on a memory call and the average overall error rate per memory call. A physical implementation scheme for storing an arbitrary state in a selected memory cell followed by reading it out is discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

SMA observations of C2H in High-Mass Star Forming Regions

C$_2$H is a representative hydrocarbon that is abundant and ubiquitous in the interstellar medium (ISM). To study its chemical properties, we present Submillimeter Array (SMA) observations of the C$_2$H $N=3-2$ and HC$_3$N $J=30-29$ transitions and the 1.1 mm continuum emission toward four OB cluster-forming regions, AFGL 490, ON 1, W33 Main, and G10.6-0.4, which cover a bolometric luminosity range of $\sim$10$^3$--10$^6$ $L_{\odot}$. We found that on large scales, the C$_2$H emission traces the dense molecular envelope. However, for all observed sources, the peaks of C$_2$H emission are offset by several times times 10$^4$ AU from the peaks of 1.1 mm continuum emission, where the most luminous stars are located. By comparing the distribution and profiles of C$_2$H hyperfine lines and the 1.1 mm continuum emission, we find that the C$_2$H column density (and abundance) around the 1.1 mm continuum peaks is lower than those in the ambient gas envelope. Chemical models suggest that C$_2$H might be transformed to other species owing to increased temperature and density; thus, its reduced abundance could be the signpost of the heated molecular gas in the $\sim$10$^4$ AU vicinity around the embedded high-mass stars. Our results support such theoretical prediction for centrally embedded $\sim10^3$--$10^6L_{\odot}$ OB star-forming cores, while future higher-resolution observations are required to examine the C$_2$H transformation around the localized sites of high-mass star formation.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. ApJ accepted. Comments welcom

Imperatorin inhibits allergic airway inflammatory reaction and mucin secretion in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic rats

Purpose: To study the therapeutic effects of imperatorin (IPT) on allergic asthma induced by ovalbumin in rats.Methods: Asthma was established in rats by injection of ovalbumin (OVA), and IPT (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) was administered orally for 21 days. Inflammatory cells and cytokines were determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); IgE and histamine in the serum were also determined. Furthermore, MUC-5AC expression in the lung tissue was determined by Western blot assay.Results: Treatment with IPT (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) decreased inflammatory cells including eosinophils (p < 0.01), neutrophils (p < 0.05), lymphocytes (p < 0.01) and macrophages (p < 0.01). In addition, the four inflammatory cytokines {interleukin (IL) -4, IL-6, IL-13 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α} were significantly decreased by treatment with IPT (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) dose-dependently (p < 0.01). Furthermore, MUC5AC in lung tissues was significantly down-regulated by treatment with IPT (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg, p < 0.01) in a dose-dependent fashion.Conclusion: The results show that IPT exerts notable therapeutic effects on allergic asthma in rats via suppression of IgE, histamine, inflammatory cells and cytokines, and also by down-regulating MUC5AC.Keywords: Imperatorin, Allergic asthma, Inflammatory cytokines, MUC5AC expression, Eosinophils, Neutrophils, Lymphocyte