Directional filter bank-based segmentation for improved evaluation of nondestructive evaluation images

This paper introduces a directional filter bank (DFB) for segmentation of NDE images containing directional information. The DFB is used to split an image into a desired number of sub-band images with each sub-band image containing features belonging only to a given angular range. The DFB is a two-channel decomposition employing the Quincunx sampling matrix and the diamond half band filter pair. The DFB is also designed to incorporate the property of perfect reconstruction or alias free reconstruction. Applications of the DFB towards segmenting C-scan images of fiber-reinforced composites, magnetic flux leakage (MFL) images of seamless tubes, IR images of solar cell panels and optical images for the computation of area coverage in a shot-peening process are discussed.     

In vitro corrosion behaviour of plasma nitrided Ti–6Al–7Nb orthopaedic alloy in Hanks solution

Titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–7Nb) used for orthopaedic applications was nitrided using a conventional dc plasmatechnique. Load-dependent microhardness measurements exhibit a hardness of 2087 H_v at 25 g load for the alloy nitrided at 900 8C for 8 h. Cyclic polarization measurement in Hanks solution show maximum corrosion rate and minimum areaof repassivation for the alloy nitrided for 8 h at 900 8C. Electrochemical impedance measurements show an increase in charge transfer resistance and decrease in double layer capacitance when compared to untreated alloy.     

Tear lipid supplement prophylaxis against dry eye in adverse environments

Purpose

To compare the prophylactic efficacy of single application of lipid and non-lipid containing tear supplements, prior to exposure of symptomatic dry eye subjects to a simulated adverse environment.

Properties of supercritical N2, O2, CO2, and NH3 mixtures from the virial equation of state

We report virial coefficients up to sixth order in density for N₂ , O₂ , NH₃ , and CO₂ , covering temperatures from 50 to 1,000 K. The reported values include coefficients and their first three temperature derivatives, for the pure species as well as all of those needed to evaluate full composition dependence of mixtures formed from any or all of these compounds. The values are obtained by calculation of appropriate cluster integrals using Mayer sampling Monte Carlo, with intermolecular interactions described by the Transferable Potential for Phase Equilibria (TraPPE) force field. All coefficients are fit as a function of temperature, yielding a thermodynamic model with analytic dependence on temperature, density, and composition. The coefficients and properties computed from them are compared to experimental data where available.     

Exploration of Physical Properties on Pure and Ce Doped Sr0.6Ba0.4Nb2O6 Thin Films

Silicon - Sr0.6Ba0.4Nb2O6 (SBN 60:40) thin films have been grown on various substrates using Radio Frequency (RF) sputtering technique. Influence of cerium ions as the dopant in (SBN 60:40) matrix...     

Thermal relaxation of residual stress in laser shock peened Ti–6Al–4V alloy

Laser shock peening (LSP) induced residual stresses in Ti–6Al–4V, and their thermal relaxation due to short-term exposure at elevated temperatures are investigated by an integrated modeling/simulation and experimental approach. A rate and temperature-dependent plasticity model in the form of Johnson–Cook (JC) has been employed to represent the nonlinear constitutive behavior under both LSP and thermal loads. By comparing the simulation results with experimental data, model parameters for Ti–6Al–4V are first calibrated and subsequently applied in analyzing the thermal stability of the residual stress in LSP-treated Ti–6Al–4V. The analysis shows that the magnitude of stress relaxation increases with the increase of applied temperature due to material softening. Most of stress relaxation occurs before 10 min to 20 min exposure in this study, and stress distribution becomes more uniform after thermal exposure. An analytical model based on the Zener–Wert–Avrami formula is then developed based on the simulation results. The activation enthalpy of the relaxation process for laser shock peened Ti–6Al–4V is determined to be in the range of 0.71 eV to 1.37 eV.     

Influence of grease formulation parameters on the tribological property of rice bran oil based lubricating grease

The negative environmental impacts and depletion of resources caused due to the excess usage of petroleum based products made researchers to think about an alternative biodegradable product. In the present study, rice bran oil (RBO) was used as a base oil for formulating 16 different grease samples. The thickener used was generated in situ by mixing 12-hydroxy stearic acid (12 HSA) to calcium hydroxide at a different ratio from 1.25 to 2. The formulation parameters such as weight % of thickener, saponification time, and maximum temperature spanned the ranges 5–11 wt.%, 1–2.5 h, and 150–180°C, respectively. The tribological properties such as wear scar diameter (WSD) and friction of 16 different grease samples formulated by varying these parameters were evaluated using a standard four-ball tester as per ASTM standards. The grease samples were characterized by evaluating the penetration value using a standard cone penetrometer. The influence of these formulation parameters on the experimentally evaluated properties was also examined in this work. The results indicated that the variation of these parameters during grease formulation has a significant influence on the evaluated properties.     

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of the estA gene encoding enzyme for producing (R)-β-acetylmercaptoisobutyric acid from Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1001

The estA gene encoding the enzyme that catalyzes the production of (R)-β-acetylmercaptoisobutyric acid from (R,S)-ester from Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1001, was cloned in Escherichia coli and its nucleotide sequence was determined, revealing the presumed open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 316 amino acid residues (948 nucleotides). The overall A+T and C+G compositions were 32.59% and 67.41%, respectively. The amino acid sequence of the estA gene product showed a significant similarity with that of the triacylglycerol lipase from Psychrobacter immobilis (38% identity), triacylglycerol lipase from Moraxella sp. (36% identity), and two forms of carboxyl esterases from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (17% and 17% identities). The deduced amino acid sequences have a pentapeptide consensus sequence, G-X-S-X-G, having an active serine residue, and another active site, dipeptides H-G, located at 70–100 amino acids upstream of the G-X-S-X-G consensus sequence.