An efficient JPEG-2000 based multimodal compression scheme

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In this paper, a wavelet-based multimodal compression method is proposed. The method jointly compresses a medical image and an ECG signal within a single codec,...     

Adaptation of a routing algorithm in wireless video sensor network for disaster scenarios using JPEG 2000

In this work we will develop an extension of one of existing routing algorithm in wireless sensor network. This new adaptation will permit the sensor node to save more energy and transmit images in wireless mode. This situation will be strategic and helpful especially in disaster scenario, where groups of rescuers must be on site to accomplish emergency tasks; therefore it’s very important and necessary to establish a wireless communication in real time between individuals or groups. The nature of wireless video sensor network makes it suitable to be used in the context of emergencies because introducing a video give more information in precise time and this is very advantageous when the existing infrastructure is down or severely overloaded. In emergencies the network topology may change rapidly and randomly. The increasing mobility of terminals makes them progressively dependent on their autonomy from the power source. This is illustrated by introducing many mobility models and using many scenarios of mobility in emergency situation, where image transmission via sensor node is used. Low complexity algorithm in image processing in order to reduce time transfer of selected data by this way allows saving energy. Efficiency in emergency scenario is the main objective of this work, achieved by the combination of three strategies: low-power mode algorithm, a power-aware routing strategy and compression technique in image processing used in sensor node. A selected set of simulations studies and real test bed on sensor node platform (Telos-B) indicate a reduction in energy consumption and a significant increase in node lifetime whereas network performance is not affected significantly. This is the big interest of our work in emergency situation, by increasing life time of node, individual can communicate longer and give more chance to rescuers to find them.     

Azo dyes decolourization by the laccase from Trametes trogii

Dye decolourizing potential of laccase obtained from the white rot fungus Trametes trogii was studied for two reactive dyes; namely Reactive Black 5 (diazoic) and Reactive Violet 5 (monoazoic). The presence of a redox mediator as 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) was found to be essential for the decolourization of the said two dyes. The optimization of the decolourization process using experimental design was studied with three variables: dye (25, 50, 100 mg/L), enzyme (0.1; 0.5; 1 U/mL) and redox mediator (0.1; 0.5; 1 mM) concentrations. Results of this investigation revealed that the optimum concentrations of dye, enzyme and HBT for the degradation of the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) were 25 mg/L, 1U/mL and 1 mM, respectively, for a maximum decolourization about 93%. However, the optimum concentrations for Reactive Violet 5 (RV5) were found to be 25 mg/L, 0.5 U/mL and 0.5 mM, for a total removal of the dye. The apparent capacity of this laccase to decolourize azo dyes make it a suitable candidate for further applications in biobleaching and the treatment of textile effluents.     

Plasma lipids are affected similarly by dietary lauric or palmitic acid in gerbils and monkeys

To compare the relative impact of dietary lauric acid (12:0) and palmitic acid (16:0) on plasma lipids, two fat-sensitive species, Mongolian gerbils and cebus monkeys, were fed cholesterol-free, purified diets enriched with either 12:0-rich or 16:0-rich fats, while all other fatty acids were held constant by selective blending of up to five natural fats or oils. The two gerbil diets (40 en% from fat) allowed for an 8 en% exchange between 12:0 and 16:0, and the monkey diets (31 en% from fat) allowed for 6 en% exchange between these two fatty acids. Eight gerbils received the diets for eight weeks, and 12 cebus monkeys were fed each diet in a cross-over design for up to 22 wk. Both diets resulted in similar plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations within each species. Additionally, separation of cebus lipoproteins by discontinuous density-gradient ultracentrifugation failed to show any dietary differences in concentration or composition of the three major lipoprotein classes (d < 1.019, 1.019-1.055, and 1.055-1.168 g/mL). Thus, in two species sensitive to manipulations in dietary fat while consuming cholesterol-free diets, 16:0 was not hypercholesterolemic relative to 12:0.     

Effects of mild heating and acidification on the molecular structure of milk components as investigated by synchronous front-face fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis

This paper reports the potential of synchronous front-face fluorescence spectroscopy in the characterization at the molecular level of milk changes during mild heating from 4 to 50 degrees C and acidification in the pH range of 6.8 to 5.1. Synchronous fluorescence spectra were collected in the 250-550 nm excitation wavelength range using offsets of 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, and 240 nm between excitation and emission monochromators. The potential of parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis in the decomposition of the whole synchronous fluorescence data set into the contribution of each of the fluorescent compounds present in milk has been investigated for heating and acidification data sets. Models were fitted from 1 to 7 components. Considering the core consistency values, PARAFAC models with three components have been considered. The first three components explained 94.43% and 94.13% of the total variance for heating and acidification data sets, respectively. The loading profiles of the first and second components derived from PARAFAC analysis performed on heating and acidification data sets corresponded quite well with the characteristics of tryptophan and vitamin A fluorescence spectra, respectively. The third component corresponded to the riboflavin fluorescence spectrum. Considering the heating experiment, the profile of the concentration mode for the second component showed large variations according to the temperature, which were assigned to the melting of triglycerides between 4 and 50 degrees C. For the acidification experiment, drastic changes in the concentration modes of the three components were observed for pH below 5.6, in agreement with structural changes in casein micelles.     

Analytical and Numerical Solution of the Stress Field and the Dynamic Stress Intensity Factors in a Cracked Plate under Sinusoidal Loading

A cracked plate subjected to a sinusoidal loading perpendicular to its plane is considered, and the analytical solution of the dynamic vibration behavior of a plate, which allowed the determination of the stress field near the crack tip, is developed. A mixed mode of loading near the crack tip has been established and described with dynamic stress intensity factors K _I (z,t) and K _II (z,t) associated with modes I and II crack openings, respectively. To validate the analytical results, a finite element analysis (FEA) of a 1 × 1 m square plate with a thickness of 1 cm, having a middle crack of 10 cm in length, is made. The results have shown significant agreement between analytical and FEA findings.     

Free convection enhancement in an annulus between horizontal confocal elliptical cylinders using hybrid nanofluids

ABSTRACT

In the present paper, natural convection in an annulus between two confocal elliptic cylinders filled with a Cu-Al₂O₃/water hybrid nanofluid is investigated numerically. The inner cylinder is heated at a constant surface temperature while the outer wall is isothermally cooled. The basic equations are formulated in elliptic coordinates and developed in terms of the vorticity-stream function formulation using the dimensionless form for 2D, laminar and incompressible flow under steady-state condition. The governing equations are discretized using the finite volume method and solved by an in-house FORTRAN code. Numerical simulations are performed for various volume fractions of nanoparticles (0?≤???≤?0.12) and Rayleigh numbers (10³?≤?Ra?≤?3?×?10⁵). The eccentricity of the inner and outer ellipses and the angle of orientation are fixed at e₁?=?0.9, e₂?=?0.6 and γ?=?0° respectively. It is found that employing a Cu-Al₂O₃/water hybrid nanofluid is more efficient in heat transfer rate compared to the similar Al₂O₃/water nanofluid.     

Theoretical and finite element studies of interfacial stresses in reinforced concrete beams strengthened by externally FRP laminates plate

The paper presents the results of an analytical and numerical solution for interfacial stresses in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP)–reinforced concrete (RC) hybrid beams studied by the finite element method. The analytical analysis is based on the deformation compatibility approach where both the shear and normal stresses are assumed to be invariant across the adhesive layer thickness. The adherend shear deformations are taken into account by assuming a parabolic shear stress through the thickness of both the concrete beam and the bonded plate. In numerical analysis, the mesh sensitivity test shows that the finite element results for interfacial stresses are not sensitive to the finite element mesh. The finite element analysis then is used to calculate the interfacial stress distribution and evaluate the effect of the structural parameters on the interfacial behavior. It is shown that both the normal and shear stresses at the interface are influenced by the material and geometry parameters of the composite beam. Numerical results from the present analysis are presented both to demonstrate the advantages of the present solution over existing ones and to illustrate the main characteristics of interfacial stress distributions. We can conclude that this research is helpful for the understanding the mechanical behavior of the interface and design of the FRP–RC hybrid structures.     

Synthesis and Electrochemical Proprieties of Novel Unsymmetrical Bis-Tetrathiafulvalenes and Electrical Conductivity of Their Charge Transfer Complexes with Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ)

The synthesis and properties of a series of bis-tetrathiafulvalenes (bis-TTFs) containing nitrophenyl, aminophenyl or dimethylaminophenyl is reported. The synthesis was carried out by using routes involving Wittig-type, cross-coupling, reduction and alkylation reactions. The electron donor ability of these new compounds has been measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Charge transfer complexes with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) were prepared by chemical redox reactions. The complexes have been proven to give conducting materials.