Image forgery detection using segmentation and swarm intelligent algorithm

Small or smooth cloned regions are difficult to be detected in image copy-move forgery (CMF) detection. Aiming at this problem, an effective method based on image segmentation and swarm intelligent (SI) algorithm is proposed. This method segments image into small nonoverlapping blocks. A calculation of smooth degree is given for each block. Test image is segmented into independent layers according to the smooth degree. SI algorithm is applied in finding the optimal detection parameters for each layer. These parameters are used to detect each layer by scale invariant features transform (SIFT)-based scheme, which can locate a mass of keypoints. The experimental results prove the good performance of the proposed method, which is effective to identify the CMF image with small or smooth cloned region.     

Reaction mechanism for in-situ β-SiAlON formation in Fe3Si-Si3N4-Al2O3 composites

In this work, Fe₃Si-Si₃N₄-Al₂O₃ composites were prepared at 1300℃ in an N₂ atmosphere using fused corundum and tabular alumina particles, Al₂O₃ fine powder, and ferrosilicon nitride (Fe₃Si-Si₃N₄) as raw materials and thermosetting phenolic resin as a binder. The effect of ferrosilicon nitride with different concentrations (0wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt%, and 25wt%) on the properties of Fe₃Si-Si₃N₄-Al₂O₃ composites was investigated. The results show that the apparent porosity varies between 10.3% and 17.3%, the bulk density varies from 2.94 g/cm3 and 3.30 g/cm3, and the cold crushing strength ranges from 67 MPa to 93 MPa. Under the experimental conditions, ferrosilicon nitride, whose content decreases substantially, is unstable; part of the ferrosilicon nitride is converted into Fe₂C, whereas the remainder is retained, eventually forming the ferrosilicon alloy. Thermodynamic assessment of the Si₅AlON₇ indicated that the ferrosilicon alloy accelerated the reactions between Si₃N₄ and α-Al₂O₃ fine powder and that Si in the ferrosilicon alloy was nitrided directly, forming β-SiAlON simultaneously. In addition, fused corundum did not react directly with Si₃N₄ because of its low reactivity.     

Spheroidization of silica powders by radio frequency inductively coupled plasma with Ar-H2 and Ar-N2 as the sheath gases at atmospheric pressu

Amorphous spherical silica powders were prepared by inductively coupled thermal plasma treatment at a radio frequency of 36.2 MHz. The effects of the added content of hydrogen and nitrogen into argon (serving as the sheath gas), as well as the carrier gas flow rate, on the spheroidization rate of silica powders, were investigated. The prepared silica powders before and after plasma treatment were examined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and laser granulometric analysis. Results indicated that the average size of the silica particles increased, and the transformation of crystals into the amorphous state occurred after plasma treatment. Discharge image processing was employed to analyze the effect of the plasma temperature field on the spheroidization rate. The spheroidization rate of the silica powder increased with the increase of the hydrogen content in the sheath gas. On the other hand, the spheroidization rate of the silica power first increased and then decreased with the increase of the nitrogen content in the sheath gas. Moreover, the amorphous content increased with the increase of the spheroidization rate of the silica powder.     

Thermal detection of surface plasmons on gold nanohole arrays

We used a thin-film thermocouple to detect the thermal effect of surface plasmons excited in Au nanohole array structures.We found that the thermal electromotive force of Au film with periodic nanohole structures is three times greater than that of a bare Au film for 785-nm laser excitation at a given power.This effect is caused by the resonant excitation of localized surface plas- mons in the nanoholes.In addition,we found that the thermal electromotive force(EMF)of the Au film with dumbbell-like na- nohole arrays depends strongly on the incident polarization.The thermal EMF is the greatest when the excitation light is polarized perpendicular to the long axis of the dumbbell.     

Ionic liquids containing the urea moiety for recognition of halides and complex anions

A series of novel imidazolium based ionic liquids containing the urea moiety were designed and synthesized for anion recognition. 1-Ethylurea-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Eumim]OAc) was used as the receptor for the halides and complex anions (BF4-, PF6-, BPh4-). 1H NMR spectra showed that the urea protons and imidazolium C(2) proton of the receptor ([Eumim]OAc) moved upfield on addition of various anions. A Job plot showed that the [Eumim]OAc receptor formed a 1:1 complex with BPh4-. X-ray diffraction analysis and the molecular modeling study revealed that the conformations of [Eumim]OAc and [Eumim]BPh4 were different. The conformational change of the cation was caused by anion exchange, and may provide an alternative to current methods for recognition of anions.     

Effects of crystallization on corrosion behaviours of a Ni-based bulk metallic glass

The effects of microstructure change on the corrosion behaviours of Ni₅₅Nb₂₀Ti₁₀Zr₈Co₇ bulk glass-forming alloy were investigated in 1 mol/L HCl and 0.5 mol/L H₂SO₄ solutions. Different microstructures of the Ni-based alloy were achieved by annealing the bulk glassy rod prepared by copper mould casting. The microstructure, grain size, grain distribution, and phase composition were characterized. Electrochemical behaviours of the Ni-based alloy were revealed by static immersion and anodic potentiodynamic polarization tests. It is indicated that the corrosion behaviours of the Ni-based bulk glass-forming alloy are related to its microstructures, while the fully crystallized alloy exhibits a relatively lower corrosion resistance than those of the amorphous states.     

Compound machining of silicon carbide ceramics by high speed end electrical discharge milling and mechanical grinding

A compound process that integrates end electrical discharge (ED) milling and mechanical grinding to machine silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics is developed in this paper. The process employs a turntable with several uniformly-distributed cylindrical copper electrodes and abrasive sticks as the tool, and uses a water-based emulsion as the machining fluid. End electrical discharge milling and mechanical grinding happen alternately and are mutually beneficial, so the process is able to effectively machine a large surface area on SiC ceramic with a good surface quality. The machining principle and characteristics of the technique are introduced. The effects of polarity, pulse duration, pulse interval, open-circuit voltage, discharge current, diamond grit size, emulsion concentration, emulsion flux, milling depth and tool stick number on performance parameters such as the material removal rate, tool wear ratio, and surface roughness have been investigated. In addition, the microstructure of the machined surface under different machining conditions is examined with a scanning electron microscope and an energy dispersive spectrometer. The SiC ceramic was mainly removed by end ED milling during the initial rough machining mode, whereas it is mainly removed by mechanical grinding during the later finer machining mode; moreover, the tool material can transfer to the workpiece surface during the compound process.     

Formation and biocorrosion behavior of Zr-Al-Co-Nb bulk metallic glasses

Ni-and Cu-free Zr-Al-Co-Nb glassy alloys with different Nb and Co contents were synthesized by melt spinning and copper mold casting.The effects of Nb addition to partially replace Co in the Zr55Al20Co25 glassy alloy on the glass-forming ability,thermal properties,in-vitro biocorrosion behavior and surface wettability of the metallic glasses were investigated.Although addition of Nb up to 5 at.% slightly decreased the supercooled liquid region and the glass-forming ability(GFA),the alloys could be casted in a bulk glassy rod form with diameters up to 3mm.The Zr-Al-Co-Nb glassy alloys were spontaneously passivated with low passive current densities in phosphate buffered saline and Hanks’ solution.Substitution of "toxic" Co by Nb is effective in improved the corrosion resistance of the Zr-Al-Co glassy alloy.Water contact angle measurements showed that Nb addition increased the hydrophilicity of the glassy alloys,which may enhance cell adhesion of the alloys in biomedical applications.     

Effect of interface morphology on the mechanical properties of titanium clad steel plates

Interface morphology has important influence on the bond quality of titanium clad steel plates. The mechanical properties of titanium clad steel plates with wavy and straight interfaces were investigated by tensile-shear tests and bending tests. The interface morphology of the plates was examined by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results show that the shear strength of a wavy interface is higher than that of a straight interface. A wavy interface is the guarantee for obtaining high shear strength to provide a greater shear resistance. During the macrobending process, cracks appear in the swirl of the wave tip and ferrotitanium intermetallics. For in-situ observing the bending process by SEM, the wave tip of a wavy interface and the massive ferrotitanium intermetallics of a straight interface are places where cracks initiate and propagate. The results are the same as those observed in the macrobending process. Because of high hardness, the wave tip and the massive ferrotitanium intermetallics are hard in terms of compatible deformation.     

Electromagnetic modification of faceted-faceted Ni<Subscript>31</Subscript>Si<Subscript>12</Subscript>-Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si eutectic alloy

In an electromagnetic field, the morphology of a binary faceted-faceted (FF) Ni31Si12-Ni2Si eutectic microstructure and the alloy’s mechanical properties were investigated. Hardness experiments demonstrated that the solidified ingots were significantly strengthened, and the hardness was improved to 63.1 and 786.6 on the Rockwell hardness C and Vickers hardness scales, respectively. Tests of friction and wear in stirred FF eutectic alloys showed excellent anti-fatigue and anti-adhesion wear performance. Alloy changed from an anomalous microstructure to a refined quasi-regular structure, and there was an increase in the lamellar microstructure fraction. The formation process of the refined quasi-regular microstructure and the resulting mechanical properties were investigated.