On the application of a modified self-organizing neural network to estimate stereo disparity.

We propose a modified self-organizing neural network to estimate the disparity map from a stereo pair of images. Novelty consists of the network architecture and of dispensing with the standard assumption of epipolar geometry. Quite distinct from the existing algorithms which, typically, involve area- and/or feature-matching, the network is first initialized to the right image, and then deformed until it is transformed into the left image, or vice versa, this deformation itself being the measure of disparity. Illustrative examples include two classes of stereo pairs: synthetic and natural (including random-dot stereograms and wire frames) and distorted. The latter has one of the following special characteristics: one image is blurred, one image is of a different size, there are salient features like discontinuous depth values at boundaries and surface wrinkles, and there exist occluded and half-occluded regions. While these examples serve, in general, to demonstrate that the technique performs better than many existing algorithms, the above-mentioned stereo pairs (in particular, the last two) bring out some of its limitations, thereby serving as possible motivation for further work.     

Handling the blockades while excavating the surge shaft at Tala Hydroelectric Project

Every component in a hydel project is an important element. Delay in any one component will affect the project time and cost equally. Excavation of surge shaft is one such component which happens to be the most critical as it involves multiple stages for its completion. This operation as such is slow, difficult and if it encounters adverse geology the operation puts the entire project on the critical path. This paper discusses in detail the problems encountered during the entire excavation of a surge shaft for a 1020 MW hydel project in Himalayan geology with special reference to the blockades. It deals with the methods adopted to clear the chokes at various stages of excavation and to achieve the accelerated progress by full face blasting.     

A Comparative Study of Suitability of Certain Features in Classification of Bharatanatyam Mudra Images Using Artificial Neural Network

Neural Processing Letters - Bharatanatyam is an Indian classical dance, which is composed of various body postures and hand gestures. This ancient art of dance has to be studied under the...     

Creating round focused micro-jets from rectangular nozzles

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - A focused jet is an axisymmetric jet of liquid surrounded by an outer coaxial gas jet. The gas jet is typically used to compress the liquid jet in the...     

Synthesis,Characterization, Physico-Chemical and DFT Studies of Potential Organic NLO Materials: Experimental and Theoretical Combined Study

Silicon - 1-(2,4-difluorobenzyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-6-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole(1) and 1-(3-(tri fluoromethyl)benzyl)2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-6-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (2) were...     

Enhancing bioavailability and hepatoprotective activity of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata,a well‐known medicinal food,through its herbosome

BACKGROUND: Andrographis paniculata is a health food used extensively in Southeast Asia, India and China and contains the pharmacologically important phytochemical andrographolide. Although andrographolide has antihepatotoxic activity, its bioavailability from A. paniculata is restricted by its rapid clearance and high plasma protein binding. The aim of this study was to formulate a herbosome of andrographolide with a naturally occurring phospholipid in order to enhance the bioavailability and hepatoprotective activity of andrographolide in rats. RESULTS: Andrographolide herbosome equivalent to 25 and 50 mg kg⁻¹ andrographolide significantly protected the liver of rats, restoring hepatic enzyme activities with respect to carbon tetrachloride‐treated animals (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). The rat plasma concentration of andrographolide obtained from the complex equivalent to 25 mg kg⁻¹ andrographolide (C_max = 9.64 µg mL⁻¹) was higher than that obtained from 25 mg kg⁻¹ andrographolide (C_max = 6.79 µg mL⁻¹), and the complex maintained its effective plasma concentration for a longer period of time. CONCLUSION: The results proved that the andrographolide complex produced by this method has better bioavailability and hence improved hepatoprotective activity compared with andrographolide at the same dose. Andrographolide complexation is therefore helpful in solving the problem of rapid clearance and low elimination half‐life associated with andrographolide from A. paniculata. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

An accurate voltage solution method for radial distribution systems

This paper formulates a set of equations (SOE) to describe a radial distribution system with high R/X ratio. The SOE comprises 3(N ? 1) second-order equations and an equal number of variables for an N-bus system. The proposed method solves this SOE using the first-order Newton-Raphson technique. The SOE model accounts for elements such as transformers, transmission lines, shunt capacitors, constant PQ loads, and constant impedance loads. Irrespective of the R/X ratio values of the lines in the system, the SOE preserves a strong diagonal characteristic. As well, this SOE is devoid of bus phase angles, unlike the 2(N ? 1) ac power flow equations used to describe transmission systems. The proposed method is compared with other methods reported in the literature for distribution systems, such as Newton-based methods and recursive methodologies that use forward and reverse sweeps. Tests conducted on radial distribution systems with 43, 69, and 5002 buses show the new method to be more accurate than other methods reported in the literature.     

Long-term effect of pulse crops inclusion on soil–plant nutrient dynamics in puddled rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system on an Inceptisol of Indo-Gangetic plain zone of India

Given inherent qualities like N-fixation, P-solublization and nutrient recycling pulses remain the most preferred option for diversification of cereal-based rotations. A long-term experiment was used to assess the effect of including pulses in rice–wheat rotation on soil–plant nutrient dynamics under inorganic and organic nutrient management. Results revealed that pulses were equally responsive to organic and inorganic nutrient management while, growth of cereals especially wheat was restricted severely under organic production system due to low nutrient input. The annual input (kg ha^?1) of N (103.6–160.8) and P (25.9–34.7) under organic treatment was almost ½ of the recommended inorganic rate, while organics supplied higher K and S. Under organic management, the apparent balance of all the nutrients was negative whereas, inorganic fertilization resulted in positive balance of N, P and Zn. Long-term inclusion of pulses in rice–wheat rotation significantly increased soil organic C and available nutrients thus, increased the nutrient uptake by cereals. Mungbean inclusion in rice–wheat rotation significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased uptake of N (23.0 %), P (32.9 %) and K (21.1 %) by rice crop. Continuous inorganic fertilization enriched soil available N, P, Zn and B. While organic management maintained higher SOC, available K and S over inorganic treatment. Thus, the study suggested that under organic management N and P nutrition is limiting factor for cereals and needs inorganic supplementation. The study also indicates the need for including pulses in conventional rice–wheat system for optimum nutrient acquisition and long-term soil health management.