Image inpainting based on self-organizing maps by using multi-agent implementation

AbstractThe image inpainting is a well-known task of visual editing. However, the efficiency strongly depends on sizes and textural neighborhood of “missing” area. Various methods of image inpainting exist, among which the Kohonen Self-Organizing Map (SOM) network as a mean of unsupervised learning is widely used. The weaknesses of the Kohonen SOM network such as the necessity for tuning of algorithm parameters and the low computational speed caused the application of multi- agent system with a multi-mapping possibility and a parallel processing by the identical agents. During experiments, it was shown that the preliminary image segmentation and the creation of the SOMs for each type of homogeneous textures provide better results in comparison with the classical SOM application. Also the optimal number of inpainting agents was determined. The quality of inpainting was estimated by several metrics, and good results were obtained in complex images

Estimated Valuation of the Cost of Road Construction with the Use of Composite Cationic Bituminous Structures

The need for formation of prices for road construction works producing, by using composite of cationic bituminous structures, is dictated by absence of this type of work in estimate-normative base, due to the fact that this type of materials had never been used before. Estimated specifications could be used either for determination of work cost or for substantiation of efficiency of using new type of materials. This paper provides basic concepts, related to formation of estimate-normative base for determination of construction and installation works cost, particularly road construction works, also it shows formation of coating installation prices by using composite of cationic bituminous emulsions

Estimated Valuation of the Cost of Road Construction with the Use of Composite Cationic Bituminous Structures

The need for formation of prices for road construction works producing, by using composite of cationic bituminous structures, is dictated by absence of this type of work in estimate-normative base, due to the fact that this type of materials had never been used before. Estimated specifications could be used either for determination of work cost or for substantiation of efficiency of using new type of materials. This paper provides basic concepts, related to formation of estimate-normative base for determination of construction and installation works cost, particularly road construction works, also it shows formation of coating installation prices by using composite of cationic bituminous emulsions

Computational and experimental justification for increasing the performance of the regenerative heat exchanger in the steam generator blowdown system of the AES-2006 project (RU V-392M)

The article discusses the design and operation modes of the regenerative heat exchanger (RHE) in the steam generator (SG) blowdown and drainage system (LCQ) at Novovoronezh NPP-II 1 and 2 (Project AES-2006). The results of mathematical modeling of the RHE operating modes are presented in order to identify the causes of its low efficiency. Based on the results of the commissioning of the SG blowdown and drainage system at NvNPP-II 1, as well as the thermohydraulic calculations of the RHE operating modes, the authors put forward assumptions regarding changes in the rerouting of the piping (Volnov et al. 2017, Yaurov et al. 2017). According to their proposals, the RHE piping was upgraded at NvNPP-II 2. The upgrading in the RHE piping was implemented first at NvNPP-II 2 at the stage of installing the systems and, after the expected result was confirmed, it was applied in April 2020 at NvNPP-II 1. In addition, the authors carried out a comparative analysis of the results of testing the thermohydraulic characteristics of RHEs of the blowdown and drainage system for NvNPP-II 1 (before upgrading, after upgrading in scheduled maintenance 2020) and NvNPP-II 2. These improvements made it possible to achieve more efficient operation of the RHE in the SG blowdown and drainage system and the system as a whole

Methodological foundations of assessment of the impact of State construction supervision during reprofiling big urban areas

The stage of construction is one of the main compulsory periods of the life cycle in the formation of construction end-products – capital construction projects of various functional purposes. The compulsory assessment of conformity of buildings and structures, as well as design construction, installation, setting up and recycling (demolition) processes associated with buildings and structures is conducted in Russia in the form of state construction supervision. An assessment results in a document certifying conformity of the actual indicators with the requirements of design, normative (industrial) and legislative documents. Conformity is assessed in accordance with procedural rules depending on the functional purpose of the capital construction project. There are two conformity assessment forms that appear to be similar: “construction inspection” and “state construction supervision”. They both characterize an approach used to assess the conformity of activities of participants in the construction operations (customers, developers, contractors) on formation of construction end-products – capital construction projects. These terms differ in so far as the construction inspection implies control by the customer of operations of contractors. State construction supervision authorities undertake supervisory (including inspection) activities in order to identify and crack down on violations of the requirements of technological regulations or other normative legal acts and design documents, committed by the key players in the construction investment activities (customer, developer, contractors), with the involvement of state authorities