Color Subspaces as Photometric Invariants

Complex reflectance phenomena such as specular reflections confound many vision problems since they produce image ‘features’ that do not correspond directly to intrinsic surface properties such as shape and spectral reflectance. A common approach to mitigate these effects is to explore functions of an image that are invariant to these photometric events. In this paper we describe a class of such invariants that result from exploiting color information in images of dichromatic surfaces. These invariants are derived from illuminant-dependent ‘subspaces’ of RGB color space, and they enable the application of Lambertian-based vision techniques to a broad class of specular, non-Lambertian scenes. Using implementations of recent algorithms taken from the literature, we demonstrate the practical utility of these invariants for a wide variety of applications, including stereo, shape from shading, photometric stereo, material-based segmentation, and motion estimation.     

Inorganic-Based Printed Thermoelectric Materials and Devices

One of the simplest ways to generate electric power from waste heat is thermoelectric (TE) energy conversion. So far, most of the research on thermoelectrics has focused on inorganic bulk TE materials and their device applications. However, high production costs per power output and limited shape conformity hinder applications of state-of-the-art thermoelectric devices (TEDs). In recent years, printed thermoelectrics has emerged as an exciting pathway for their potential in the production of low-cost shape-conformable TEDs. Although several inorganic bulk TE materials with high performance are successfully developed, achieving high performance in inorganic-based printed TE materials is still a challenge. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made in printed thermoelectrics in recent years. In this review article, it is started with an introduction signifying the importance of printed thermoelectrics followed by a discussion of theoretical concepts of thermoelectricity, from fundamental transport phenomena to device efficiency. Afterward, the general process of inorganic TE ink formulation is summarized, and the current development of the inorganic and hybrid inks with the mention of their TE properties and their influencing factors is elaborated. In the end, TEDs with different architecture and geometries are highlighted by documenting their performance and fabrication techniques.     

Does India need to harmonize the law of patent exhaustion and parallel imports?

The amendment of patent law of India in 2005 to fulfill her international obligation under the TRIPS Agreement (World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) was an outcome of an attempt to balance the competing interests of several stakeholders, including indigenous pharmaceutical companies, multi-national pharmaceutical companies, non-governmental organizations and civil society groups concerned with access to affordable drugs. The adverse consequence of this delicate balancing is introduction of some provisions in the Act whose compatibility with the TRIPS Agreement is questionable, and which therefore are prone to litigations. Section 107A(b) of the amended patent law dealing with parallel imports is one such provision, which, if interpreted word for word could have significant connotations for the rights of a patent owner. This article aims to examine the inconsistencies intrinsic in Section 107A(b) and discusses the divergences in the Indian patent law associated with the doctrine of exhaustion and parallel imports. This article also proposes legal amendments with a view to eliminate inconsistencies intrinsic in the section and enlarge the ambit of the exhaustion principle conceptualized therein, while concurrently remaining compliant with the TRIPS Agreement.     

Green microalga Chlorella vulgaris as a potential feedstock for biodiesel

BACKGROUND: A major bottleneck in microalgal biodiesel production is lipid content, which is often low in microalgal species. The present study examines Chlorella vulgaris as a potential feedstock for biodiesel by identifying and evaluating the relationships between the critical variables that enhance the lipid yield, and characterizes the biodiesel produced for various properties. RESULTS: Factors affecting lipid accumulation in a green microalga, Chlorella vulgaris were examined. Multifactor optimization raised the lipid pool to 55% dry cell weight against 9% control. When C. vulgaris cells pre‐grown in glucose (0.7%)‐supplemented medium were transferred to the optimized condition at the second stage, the lipid yield was boosted to 1974 mg L^?1, a value almost 20‐fold higher than for the control. The transesterified C. vulgaris oil showed the presence of ～82% saturated fatty acids, with palmitate and stearate as major components, thus highlighting the oxidative stability of C. vulgaris biodiesel. The fuel properties (density, viscosity, acid value, iodine value, calorific value, cetane index, ash and water contents) are comparable with the international (ASTM and EN) and Indian (IS) biodiesel standards. CONCLUSION: C. vulgaris biomass with 55% lipid content and adequate fuel properties is potentially a renewable feedstock for biodiesel. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Physicochemical Characterization of Interaction of Ibuprofen by Solid-State Milling with Aluminum Hydroxide

This present study is a preliminary exploration of the affinity between a carboxylic model drug ibuprofen and aluminum hydroxide. Ibuprofen was comilled with aluminum hydroxide in different weight ratios in the solid state and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and in vitro dissolution studies. XRD and SEM studies indicated complete interaction of ibuprofen with aluminum hydroxide and complete amorphization of aluminum hydroxide–ibuprofen complexed salt as well, on comilling with aluminum hydroxide at 1:2 ratio. FTIR data showed the disappearance of acid carbonyl peak with the appearance and the corresponding increase in absorbance of new signal at 1,682 cm^?1 in the 1:1 and 1:2 ibuprofen–aluminum hydroxide-comilled powder. The accompanied increase in the absorbance of carboxylate peak in the ibuprofen–aluminum hydroxide physical mixture, and 1:0.1, 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2 (IBA_pm, and IB₁A_0.1, IB₁A_0.5, IB₁A₁, and IB₁A₂, respectively) comilled powder indicated an acid–base reaction between ibuprofen and aluminum hydroxide. On storage at 40°C and 75% relative humidity (RH) for 10 weeks, XRD study showed the absence of reversion to the crystalline state and FTIR data revealed continued increase of new signal at 1,682 cm^?1 relative to carboxylic acid peak and no reappearance of carboxylic acid peak. In vitro dissolution studies revealed that the percent release of ibuprofen from the aluminum hydroxide-comilled powder is in the following order: IB₁A₂ < IB₁A₁ < ibuprofen crystal < ibuprofen milled alone < IB₁A_0.1 < IB₁A_0.5. Aluminum metal cation might have interacted to form a complex through the carboxyl and carbonyl groups of ibuprofen. Improved dissolution of drug associated with IB₁A_0.1 and IB₁A_0.5 is because of the absence of a new signal at 1,682 cm^?1 and improved amorphization of the drug to some extent. Dissolution of drug affected in IB₁A₂ and IB₁A₁ may be because of the insoluble stable complex formation.     

Low temperature synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Manganese tungstate</Emphasis> nanoflowers with antibacterial potential: Future material for water purification

Pure water is the fundamental requisite for human life. The water has been recycled naturally but not in an adequate amount for consumption. Nanotechnology with extraordinary applications provides competent ways for the decontamination of contaminated water. In the present study MnWO₄ nanoflowers endorsed with inherent antibacterial activity were successfully synthesized by facile hydrothermal approach. XRD, SEM, EDX spectroscopy and UVDRS were used to characterize the as-synthesized nanoflowers. Gram negative Escherichia coli ATCC 52922 bacterium was used as model organism to test antibacterial activity of as-synthesized MnWO₄ nanoflowers. This study was conducted to optimize minimum concentration of MnWO₄ nanoflowers and maximum contact time required to achieve complete inactivation of bacteria present in contaminated water. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of MnWO₄ nanoflowers was found to be 10 μg/ml. The assessment and interpretation of bacterial viability was done using dual fluorescent staining. The synthesized 3D-nanoflowers were found as potent bactericides. Thus, MnWO₄ nanoflowers emerged to be very good future material for disinfection of biological pollutants present in the contaminated water reservoirs and as an anti-biofouling agent.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetite/Polyvinyl Alcohol Core–Shell Composite Nanoparticles

Magnetite (Fe₃O₄)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) core–shell composite nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using a coprecipitation of ferrous and ferric chloride followed by coating with PVA. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, X‐ray photo electron spectroscopy, Zeta potential measurements, UV–Vis spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM). The average particle size was 13 nm. The presence of characteristic functional groups of PVA around the core of magnetite nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy while the amount of PVA (%) bound to it was estimated by TGA analysis. Zeta potential measurements made by dispersing dilute sonicated samples in a Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS pH 7.4) confirmed that the particles were negatively charged. The stability and retention of the coating material PVA in PBS (pH7.4) over a period of time were substantiated by UV–Vis spectroscopy. Room‐temperature magnetic measurements were made with a VSM which demonstrated the superparamagnetic nature of the particles with higher saturation magnetization of 56.41 emu/g. Furthermore, in vitro cytocompatibility testing of Fe₃O₄/PVA core–shell composite nanoparticles was carried out on human cervix cancer cells. This confirmed a 97% cell viability with no significant cytotoxicity and thereby substantiated their biocompatibility.     

Effect of fiber misorientation on the tensile strength of compression molded continuous fiber composites

Resin cross-flow during compression molding of unidirectional sheet molding compound composites, such as CSMC and XMC, may cause severe misorientation of the continuous fibers in the outer layers. The extent of fiber misorientation depends on the type of molding compound, the length of cross-flow, and the location of the charge in the mold. The tensile strength is reduced in the direction of cross-flow with decreasing mold surface coverage. However, since severe fiber misorientation is generally restricted to the outer layers, increasing the number of plies improves the tensile strength to the level observed with little or no misorientation.     

A Microwave Method for Measuring Changes in Lung Water Content: Numerical Simulation

A numerical procedure to simulate several physiological and geometrical changes occurring during development of edema and to study their effects on the sensitivity of the microwave detection method is presented. The method of solution utilizes a model which consists of a two-dimensional cross section of a thorax. The model is based on an X-ray CAT scan taken with the microwave applicators in place. The electromagnetic boundary value problem is then solved numerically using the method of moments. Numerical results are presented to show the effects of several parameters, such as the uneven water distribution in the lung, the field distribution in the aperture of the microwave transmitter, and the location of the receiver on the sensitivity of the microwave detection method. Based on these results, several suggestions are made to help optimize the sensitivity of the microwave method of measuring changes in lung water content.