First-order and second-order statistical analysis of 3D and 2D image structure

In the first part of this article, we analyze the relation between local image structures (i.e., homogeneous, edge-like, corner-like or texture-like structures) and the underlying local 3D structure (represented in terms of continuous surfaces and different kinds of 3D discontinuities) using range data with real-world color images. We find that homogeneous image structures correspond to continuous surfaces, and discontinuities are mainly formed by edge-like or corner-like structures, which we discuss regarding potential computer vision applications and existing assumptions about the 3D world. In the second part, we utilize the measurements developed in the first part to investigate how the depth at homogeneous image structures is related to the depth of neighbor edges. For this, we first extract the local 3D structure of regularly sampled points, and then, analyze the coplanarity relation between these local 3D structures. We show that the likelihood to find a certain depth at a homogeneous image patch depends on the distance between the image patch and a neighbor edge. We find that this dependence is higher when there is a second neighbor edge which is coplanar with the first neighbor edge. These results allow deriving statistically based prediction models for depth interpolation on homogeneous image structures.     

Microencapsulation of hazelnut oil through spray drying

This study was performed to investigate the influence of air inlet temperature (AIT) on the microencapsulation of hazelnut oil by spray drying. Encapsulated powders were analyzed for moisture content, powder yield, surface oil, encapsulation efficiency (EE), bulk density, and particle morphology. The obtained results demonstrated that moisture content, surface oil, and bulk density decreased by 37.8, 27.5, and 33%, respectively as AIT increased from 140 to 220°C. However, powder yield and encapsulation efficiency increased considerably with the rise in AIT. Higher EEs of about 75–80% were observed in this study.     

Effects of waste material–lime additive mixtures on mechanical properties of granular soils

Granular soil was stabilized using different proportions of silica fume–lime and fly ash–lime and compacted at optimum water content. Compaction, compressive strength and California Bearing Ratio tests were undertaken which confirmed that the use of waste materials and lime mixtures improved the strength properties of the crushed granular soils.     

Mechanochemical processing and microstructural characterization of pure Fe2B nanocrystals

The results of current investigation demonstrate that mechanochemical processing can be used to synthesize high purity Fe₂B nanocrystals by selecting well-optimized milling conditions, reaction paths and proper starting materials. Microstructure, phase analyses, specific surface area, and magnetic properties of the synthesized nanocrystals were examined by using X-ray diffraction/spectroscopy, electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption methods following Brunauer-Emmett-Teller equation and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques, respectively. Removal of MgO impurity phase by leaching the resulting powder in the acetic acid solution yielded single phase Fe₂B nanocrystals with the crystallite size and specific surface area of 12.5 nm and 29 m²/g, respectively. Magnetization results clearly indicated the ferromagnetic behavior of Fe₂B nanocrystals with saturation magnetization observed around 96.26 emu·g^?1. Electron microscope images revealed coaxial/spherical powder shape and morphology of the single-phase Fe₂B nanocrystals.     

Effects of silica fume on the geotechnical properties of fine-grained soils exposed to freeze and thaw

Both the landfill liner and cover systems are the most important parts on a waste disposal landfill site. These systems are generally constructed using compacted fine-grained soils. It is known that the strength and permeability are particularly affected by freezing and thawing cycles in the cold regions. The aim of this study is to reduce the effects of freezing and thawing cycles on the strength and permeability. To modify the fine-grained soils, silica fume generated during silicon metal production as very fine dust of silica from a blast furnace and historically considered a waste product has been used as a stabilizer. The natural fine-grained soils and soil–silica fume mixtures have been compacted at the optimum moisture content and subjected to the laboratory tests. The test results show that the stabilized fine-grained soil samples containing silica fume exhibit high resistance to the freezing and thawing effects as compared to natural fine-grained soil samples. The silica fume decreases the effects of freezing and thawing cycles on the unconfined compressive strength and permeability. We have concluded that silica fume can be successfully used to reduce the effects of freezing and thawing cycles on the strength and permeability in landfill liner and cover systems constructed from compacted fine-grained soils.     

Effect of microwave‐assisted extraction on the release of polyphenols from ginger (Zingiber officinale)

The significance of different variables viz. temperature, time and solvent at constant power in microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) process of ginger was studied and compared with conventional method. Aqueous ethanol (50%) provided higher yields of extract as well as the highest release of total polyphenols (TPP) than alcoholic solvents. The reason could be the high dielectric constant of aqueous ethanol as compared to alcohols. Microwave heating being a volumetric process, an exposure time of 1 min was found to be sufficient. The better penetration of microwaves and greater solubility at higher temperature resulted in higher yield of TPP and [6]‐gingerol. The resultant extract showed higher radical scavenging activity (RSA) values. Thus, MAE allowed higher recoveries compared to conventional extraction process, with improvement in the quantity and quality of extract in very short period of time.     

Electrical Switching in TlSbSe2 Chalcogenide Semiconductors

Electrical measurements were performed on TlSbSe₂ ternary crystals in the temperature range 293–413 K. The obtained I–V characteristics consist of two regions: an Ohmic region at low current densities, and nonlinear regions having negative differential resistance (NDR) at moderate and higher current densities. The nonlinear behavior of the I–V curves was studied at different ambient temperatures. The sample temperature and the threshold voltage of the NDR region were also examined as a function of the ambient temperature. We detected that the investigated samples exhibit threshold-type switching and propose that the switching mechanism has an electronic origin.     

In‐situ polymerization of polyamide 66 nanocomposites utilizing interfacial polycondensation,Part 1: Organoclay nanocomposites

Effective dispersion of organically modified montmorillonite‐layered silicates in nylon 66 is addressed by synthesizing nanocomposites in situ via interfacial polycondensation from a suspension of silicate platelets in one of the monomer phases using either a stirred or unstirred reactor, while avoiding the detrimental heat history associated with melt compounding of this high melting polymer system. The effects of mixing methodology, reaction conditions, concentration ratio, and clay content are evaluated to elucidate process mechanisms and produce high molecular weight product. Enhanced stiffness of the nanocomposites measured by tensile modulus is related to their nanoscale morphology as characterized by transmission electron microscopy and wide angle X‐ray diffraction. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers