A Novel Evolution Strategy of Level Set Method for the Segmentation of Overlapping Cervical Cells

Development of an accurate and automated algorithm to completely segment cervical cells in Pap images is still one of the most challenging tasks. The main reasons are the presence of overlapping cells and the lack of guiding mechanism for the convergence of ill-defined contours to the actual cytoplasm boundaries. In this paper, we propose a novel method to address these problems based on level set method (LSM). Firstly, we proposed a morphological scaling-based topology filter (MSTF) and derived a new mathematical toolbox about vector calculus for evolution of level set function (LSF). Secondly, we combine MSTF and the mathematical toolbox into a multifunctional filtering algorithm 2D codimension two-object level set method (DCTLSM) to split touching cells. The DCTLSM can morphologically scale up and down the contour while keeping part of the contour points fixed. Thirdly, we design a contour scanning strategy as the evolution method of LSF to segment overlapping cells. In this strategy, a cutting line can be detected by morphologically scaling the union LSF of the pairs of cells. Then, we used this cutting line to construct a velocity field with an effective guiding mechanism for attracting and repelling LSF. The performance of the proposed algorithm was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively on the ISBI-2014 dataset. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method is capable of fully segmenting cervical cells with superior segmentation accuracy compared with recent peer works.

Behavior of Different Grafting Strategies Using Automated Technology for Splice Grafting Technique

Even though the splicing graft technique is relatively recent, it has become the most commonly used grafting method for solanaceae, and in particular, for tomato. Today, almost everyone has standardized the use of plastic or silicone grafting clips, equipped with manipulating wings and a frontal opening, to ensure proper bonding and allow for wound healing. Numerous factors influence the success or failure of the grafting process, factors such as the seedling varieties combined, climatic conditions, pre-graft and post-graft care, cutting point, cutting angle, pressure of the clips, blade edge, or substrate water content, among others. In this work, several alternatives in the graft assembly and coupling protocol were evaluated. Having studied the different working alternatives for grafting using a robotic system, two modes of joining order were analyzed. It has been shown that there are 20% more recorded successes if one first joins the graft seedlings and then places the grafting clip to guarantee their union. In addition, we studied the different orientation alternatives for the cutting line and the seedling union with respect to the clip opening—there were approximately 10% more successes obtained in grafts where the splice-union cutting line between the two plants faced the clip opening.

Improving of processing technology of blanks for heavy trucks brackets by laser cutting

The possibility for using of laser cutting systems for the production of blanks for brackets parts for heavy trucks is considered. The use of laser cutting aggregates makes it possible to exclude the cutting of blanks in the form of cards, to exclude the operations of cold stamping of parts 10 and 12 mm thickness, to cut metal along any complex contour with accuracy of 0.1 mm and high-quality cutting line without subsequent mechanical processing. Rational technological schemes are developed for the production of brackets for heavy trucks by laser cutting of blanks for brackets parts.

The influence of different cutting parameters on the glass edge quality

The influence of different cutting parameters on the glass edge quality was investigated, including the cutter material, the sharpening angle of the cutting roll, the cutting speed and the load applied to the roll. The results show that there are less defects on the edge of the glass cut by diamond cutter. There is no obvious influence of cutting speed on the glass edge quality. The cutter with a smaller sharpening angle is more applicable for the cutting of thin glass, and the thick glass is more suitable to use a bigger sharpening angle cutter. Higher cutting load is helpful for the breaking of the glass along the cutting line. However, it may cause more defects on the edge and the surface of the glass.

Implementation of Energy Harvesting System of Wastes of Compressed Air Wastes for Electrical Steel Cutting Line

The pneumatic systems are commonly used in industrial plants to power pneumatic machines and tools. However, since production of compressed air is quite expensive, manufacturing plants are trying to reduce the operating costs of pneumatic systems by improving their energy efficiency. There are three main methods of reducing costs in these systems: averting energy losses, limiting input energy and harvesting energy wastes of compressed air. In this article, the authors focus on the last method mentioned above - recovering energy wastes from cutting line of electrical steel in a production plant, by using their own invention. The maximum power Pe of the device is changing from 190 W to 60 W and it depends on the value of overpressure in the tank. In one hour, the device generates about 0.07 kWh energy and uses about 3.8 m3 of air in overpressure of 6 bar.