An improved multimodal medical image fusion scheme based on hybrid combination of nonsubsampled contourlet transform and stationary wavelet transform

This research proposes an improved hybrid fusion scheme for non-subsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) and stationary wavelet transform (SWT). Initially, the source images are decomposed into different sub-bands using NSCT. The locally weighted sum of square of the coefficients based fusion rule with consistency verification is used to fuse the detailed coefficients of NSCT. The SWT is employed to decompose approximation coefficients of NSCT into different sub-bands. The entropy of square of the coefficients and weighted sum-modified Laplacian is employed as the fusion rules with SWT. The final output is obtained using inverse NSCT. The proposed research is compared with existing fusion schemes visually and quantitatively. From the visual analysis, it is observed that the proposed scheme retained important complementary information of source images in a better way. From the quantitative comparison, it is seen that this scheme gave improved edge information, clarity, contrast, texture, and brightness in the fused image.     

A soft-error resilient low power static random access memory cell

Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing - Advent and rapid development of on-chip computation in applications based on internet of things has opened space for integration of human life...     

Risk Based Analysis for Contamination Event Selection and Optimal Sensor Placement for Intermittent Water Distribution Network Security

Water distribution networks are vulnerable to various contamination events that may be accidental or purposeful. Sensors are required for online monitoring of water quality to safeguard human health. Since sensors are costly, their numbers must be limited that makes sensor locations crucial in the water monitoring system. This paper aims at location of sensors in intermittent water distribution system which are more prone to accidental contamination due to contaminants ingress into the pipe lines because of low pressures during non supply hours. Considering deployment of limited number of sensors, the novelty of the paper is to propose a methodology for selection of contamination events with associated risk to be used in design of sensor network. Integrated risk assessment model is used to identify risk prone areas that may lead to possible contamination events. A Genetic Algorithm based methodology is suggested for optimal location of water quality sensors to maximize the detection likelihood of the contamination events within the acceptable time from the risk prone areas to improve network security. A comparison of sensor network design is made by considering contamination events occurring with: (i) equal probability at all the nodes; (ii) equal probability at risk prone nodes; and (iii) probability of occurrences based on quantified risk, to show that identification of risk prone areas and selection of contamination events results in reduction of computational work and more sensible placement of sensors.     

Application of lipase immobilized on nylon‐6 for the synthesis of butyl acetate by transesterification reaction in n‐heptane

A purified alkaline thermotolerant bacterial lipase from Bacillus coagulans BTS‐3 was immobilized on nylon‐6 matrix activated by glutaraldehyde. The matrix showed ～ 70% binding efficiency for lipase. The bound lipase was used to perform transesterification in n‐heptane. The reaction studied was conversion of vinyl acetate and butanol to butyl acetate and vinyl alcohol. Synthesis of butyl acetate was used as a parameter to study the transesterification reaction. The immobilized enzyme achieved ～ 75% conversion of vinyl acetate and butanol (100 mmol/L each) into butyl acetate in n‐heptane at 55°C in 12 h. When alkane of C‐chain lower or higher than n‐heptane was used as an organic solvent, the conversion of vinyl acetate and butanol to butyl acetate decreased. During the repetitive transesterification under optimal conditions, the nylon bound lipase produced 77.6 mmol/L of butyl acetate after third cycle of reuse. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Immune response to chemically modified proteome

Both enzymatic and nonenzymatic PTMs of proteins involve chemical modifications. Some of these modifications are prerequisite for the normal functioning of cell, while other chemical modifications render the proteins as “neo-self” antigens, which are recognized as “non-self” leading to aberrant cellular and humoral immune responses. However, these modifications could be a secondary effect of autoimmune diseases, as in the case of type I diabetes, hyperglycemia leads to protein glycation. The enigma of chemical modifications and immune response is akin to the “chick-and-egg” paradox. Nevertheless, chemical modifications regulate immune response. In some of the well-known autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis, chemically modified proteins act as autoantigens forming immune complexes. In some instances, chemical modifications are also involved in regulating immune response during pathogen infection. Further, the usefulness of proteomic analysis of immune complexes is briefly discussed.     

The effect of interface friction on the inplane flexibilities of machine tool joints

The effect of interface friction between contact surfaces on the flexibilities of machine-tool joints is studied. The joint flexibility is determined by applying unit load successively at one end of the joint while keeping the other end fixed. Only plane problems have been taken up for consideration. A finite element based numerical procedure is used for solving the problem. Results are presented for the care of a hypothetical machine tool joint and dovetail joint for various values of friction coefficient. It is observed that the decrease in flexibility is only 15% for values of friction coefficient μ = 0.2.     

[Zn(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-proline)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of Propargylamines Under Solvent-Free Conditions

A simple, one-pot, three-component, green synthesis of a wide range of propargylamines is reported by A³-coupling (aldehyde, alkyne and amine) via C–H activation of alkynes using [Zn(l-proline)₂] as an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst. High catalytic activity was achieved in comparatively low temperature under solvent-free conditions. All reactions were carried out in an open atmosphere without the use of any co-catalyst/additive.

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Dynamic earth-contact building: A sustainable low-energy technology

Sustainable development includes low-energy buildings, which reduce energy consumption, green house gases emission, water usage, etc. The choice of subsurface wall at varying depths for construction of buildings has a direct impact on energy consumption and the environment. This paper includes in its scope all building structures in which a significant area is in direct contact with the earth, and excludes indirect earth contact. A two-dimensional simplified analytical Fourier boundary series was developed to study dynamic earth-contact heat transfer and humidity variation in building. It was used in conjunction with the whole-building energy simulation program developed in the TRNSYS environment. The predictions were compared with extensive experimental data measured from typical existing earth-contact buildings situated in the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi campus. Heat transfer through earth-contact building structures was predicted to decrease with increasing soil contact. The results obtained from the detailed model showed that earth-contact structures form excellent passive technology that can be exploited for energy conservation. This work is part of an effort to develop zero energy building models in India. The presented model can be easily incorporated into indirect earth-contact structures in order to describe the impact of cooling tubes, earth-air tunnels or heat pumps in indoor environment.     

Enhanced granulation by natural ionic polymer additives in UASB reactor treating low-strength wastewater

Effect of natural ionic polymer additives on granulation in lab-scale UASB reactors treating low-strength synthetic wastewater (COD 750-850 mg/L) was examined. The organic loading rate was 1.477+/-0.118 kgCOD/m3/day. Under identical conditions four similar reactors were operated in parallel with the following additives: control with no additive, anionic part of Reetha (Sapindus trifoliata) extract, cationic part of Reetha extract, and Chitosan. By the end of the study period, Chitosan as an additive produced largest granules with mean size of 0.15 mm closely followed by the cationic fraction of the Reetha extract with mean size of 0.144 mm, and anionic fractions of the Reetha extract with 0.139 mm. Control reactor with no additives had the smallest size granules with mean size of 0.128 mm. The fraction of granules in the sludge bed of size >0.1 mm showed similar trend. The largest granule size observed in the reactors with additives was 4-5mm as compared to 2 mm in the control reactor. Cationic polymers were more effective additives for enhancing sludge granulation. Exo-cellular protein, lipid, sugar and total polymer increased with granulation in the reactors. A COD removal efficiency of 95-98% was achieved in all the reactors.     

Electric field assisted growth of self-organized CdS films: size dependent structural and optical properties

This paper presents a systematic study of electric field assisted growth of self-organized cadmium sulphide (CdS) quantum dots (Q-CdS). CdS thin films of self-organized quantum dot like structure with different particle size have been successfully deposited simply by varying the concentration of surfactant in the reaction matrix. The model to describe the self-organization is also discussed. The size of CdS nanoparticles can be altered from 68 nm (corresponding to bulk) to 2 nm. The structural, optical, and morphological properties of Q-CdS films have been investigated. A blue shift has been observed in optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra. The strained growth of Q-CdS films has been observed. The microstructural strain calculated from peak broadening reveals an increase in strain with decreasing particle size. This study may provide a convenient method to deposit size selective and organized nanocrystalline semiconductor thin films.