Modified stable Euler-number algorithm implementation for real-time image binarization

The stable Euler-number-based image binarization has been shown to give excellent visual results for images containing high amount of image noise. Being computationally expensive, its applications are limited mostly to general-purpose processors and in application specific integrated circuits. In this paper a modified stable Euler-number-based algorithm for image binarization is proposed and its real-time hardware implementation in a Field Programmable Gate Array with a pipelined architecture is presented. The proposed modifications to the algorithm facilitate hardware implementation. The end result is a design that out-performs known software implementations. The amount of noisy pixels introduced during the binarization process is also minimized. Despite the stable Euler-number-based image binarization being computationally expensive, our simulations show that the proposed architecture gives accurate results and this in real time and without consuming all chip resources.     

Activation effect of silver nanoparticles on the photoelectrochemical performance of mesoporous TiO2 nanospheres photoanodes for water oxidation reaction

This work reports the photodeposition of Ag nanoparticles onto mesoporous TiO₂ (m-TiO₂) pre-formed by the evaporation-induced self-assembly method. Photoanodes of Ag/m-TiO₂ assembled by electrophoretic disclose a superior photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance for water oxidation reaction related to m-TiO₂. The photoanodes physicochemical investigations witness the even arrangement of m-TiO₂ nanospheres particles over the substrates. The PEC study displays a steady photocurrent density of 1 mAcm^?2 at ?1.0 V vs SCE was attained for Ag/m-TiO₂ photoanodes in visible light illumination and it is nearly twofold enhancements in comparison with m-TiO₂ photoanodes. The observed superior PEC nature was attributed to the reduced band-gap energy and charge recombination that caused from the incorporation of plasmonic photodeposited Ag nanoparticles on m-TiO₂ nanospheres photoanodes.     

Parallel implementation of the Kronecker product technique for numerical solution of parabolic partial differential equations

Using the alternating directional Galerkin technique we show that the approximate solution of the initial boundary value problem of parabolic partial differential equations is equivalent to the least squares solution of the linear system A B = b. In the full rank case, an efficient method for obtaining the solution of the least squares problem suitable for distributive memory computers was presented in (Fausett et al., 1994). This method is extended to solve the rank deficient case using the RRQR factorization of matrices A and B together with the commutatively property of the Kronecker product. Solution algorithm and parallel implementation are discussed. Timing results are presented and compared with previous work.     

Performance measurement of product returns with recovery for sustainable manufacturing

Today's lifecycle of new and emerging products, increase in labour costs in developed countries and user's expectations or behaviours including frequently upgrading items with latest features, influence the growth rate of product disposal to landfill. To reduce the negative impact on the environment, global manufacturers need to take responsibility for designing sustainable products and implementing cleaner production systems for 3R operations (3R–Reuse/Remanufacture/Recycle). Nevertheless, there is still a lack of comprehensive measures for assessing product returns with recovery settings. In this paper, a framework for performance evaluation using design for six sigma methodology is developed to estimate utilisation value of a manufactured product with recovery settings, which accounts for total recovery cost, manufacturing lead-time, minimisation for landfill waste and quality characteristic. Finally, a numerical example based on these performance attributes to assess product utilisation value is presented.     

Non-linear diffusion of image noise with minimal iterativity

Non-linear diffusion (ND) is an iterative difference equation used in several image processing applications such as denoising, segmentation, or compression. The number of iterations required to achieve optimal processing can be very high, making ND not suitable for real-time requirements. In this paper, we study how to reduce complexity of ND so as to achieve minimal number of iterations for real-time image denoising. To do this, we first study the relations between parameters of the iterative equation: the number of iterations, the time step, and the edge strength. We then proceed by estimating the minimally required number of iterations to achieve effective denoising. Then, we relate the edge strength to the number of iterations, to noise, and to the image structure. The resulted minimal iterativity ND is very fast, while still achieves similar or better noise reduction compared to related ND work. This paper also shows how the proposed spatial filter is suitable for structure-sensitive object segmentation and temporal noise reduction.     

Banana peel: an effective biosorbent for aflatoxins

This work reports the application of banana peel as a novel bioadsorbent for in vitro removal of five mycotoxins (aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) and ochratoxin A). The effect of operational parameters including initial pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and temperature were studied in batch adsorption experiments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and point of zero charge (pH_pzc) analysis were used to characterise the adsorbent material. Aflatoxins’ adsorption equilibrium was achieved in 15 min, with highest adsorption at alkaline pH (6–8), while ochratoxin has not shown any significant adsorption due to surface charge repulsion. The experimental equilibrium data were tested by Langmuir, Freundlich and Hill isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm was found to be the best fitted model for aflatoxins, and the maximum monolayer coverage (Q₀) was determined to be 8.4, 9.5, 0.4 and 1.1 ng mg^?1 for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 respectively. Thermodynamic parameters including changes in free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) were determined for the four aflatoxins. Free energy change and enthalpy change demonstrated that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. Adsorption and desorption study at different pH further demonstrated that the sorption of toxins was strong enough to sustain pH changes that would be experienced in the gastrointestinal tract. This study suggests that biosorption of aflatoxins by dried banana peel may be an effective low-cost decontamination method for incorporation in animal feed diets.     

Organic geochemistry characterisation of crude oils from Mishrif reservoir rocks in the southern Mesopotamian Basin,South Iraq: Implication for source input and paleoenvironmental conditions

Seven crude oils from Cretaceous Mishrif reservoir rocks in the southern Mesopotamian Basin, South Iraq were studied to describe oil characteristics, providing information on the source of organic matter input and the genetic link between oils and their potential source rock in the basin. This study is based on biomarker and non-biomarker analyses performed on oil samples. The analysed oils are aromatic intermediate oils as indicated by high aromatic hydrocarbon fractions with more that 50%. These oils are also characterized by high sulfur and trace metal (Ni, V) contents and relatively low API gravity values (19.0–27.2° API). The results of this study indicate that these oils were derived from a marine carbonate source rocks bearing Type II-S kerogen that were deposited under sulphate-reducing conditions. This is primary achieved from their biomarkers and bulk carbon isotope and inorganic element contents (i.e., S, Ni and V). The absence of 18a (H)-oleanane biomarker also suggests a source age older than Late Cretaceous. The biomarker characteristics of these oils are consistent with those of the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous source rocks in the basin. However, biomarker maturity data also indicate that the oils were generated from early maturity source rocks. This appears to result from the type of kerogen of the source rock, characterized by a high-S kerogen (Type II-S).     

Equation Discovery for Financial Forcasting in Context of Islamic Banking

This paper describes an equation discovery approach based on machine leamng using LAGdtAMGE as an equation discovery tool,with two sources of input,a dataset and model presented in context-free gammar.The approach is searching a large range of potential equations by a specific model.The parameters of the equation are fitted to find the best equations.The The experiments are illustratedwith commodity prices from the London Metal Exchange for the period of January-October 2009.The outputs of the experiments are a large number of equations;same of the equations display that the predicted rakes are following the market trends in perfect patterns.     

Three-dimensional phase-field modeling of martensitic microstructure evolution in steels

In the present work a 3-D elastoplastic phase-field (PF) model is developed, based on the PF microelasticity theory proposed by A.G. Khachaturyan and by including plastic deformation as well as anisotropic elastic properties, for modeling the martensitic transformation (MT) by using the finite-element method. PF simulations in 3D are performed by considering different cases of MT occurring in an elastic material, with and without dilatation, and in an elastic perfectly plastic material with dilatation having isotropic as well as anisotropic elastic properties. As input data for the simulations the thermodynamic parameters corresponding to an Fe-0.3%C alloy as well as the physical parameters corresponding to steels acquired from experimental results are considered. The simulation results clearly show autocatalysis and morphological mirror image formation, which are some of the typical characteristics of a martensitic microstructure. The results indicate that elastic strain energy, anisotropic elastic properties, plasticity and the external clamping conditions affect MT as well as the microstructure.     

Self-assembly of coordination polymers constructed from CuCN and unidentate pyridine bases

The self-assembly of K₃[Cu(CN)₄] and unidentate pyridine bases (L): pyridine (py), 3-methyl pyridine (3-mpy), and 2,4,6-trimethyl pyridine (tmpy) in the presence of Me₃SnCl affords new coordination polymers (CPs) CuCN·0.5(py)] (1), [CuCN·0.5(3-mpy)] (2), and [CuCN·0.5(tmpy)] (3). The syntheses are achieved in H₂O/acetonitrile media at room temperature. The structure of the CP 3 was characterized by X-ray single crystal analysis. It is crystallized as orthorhombic in the space group Pnma, a = 9.1065 (3) ?, b = 8.6669 (3) ?, and c = 12.1998 (5) ? and Z = 8. The CPs 1, 2 were investigated by IR, mass, Uv–visible, and ¹H-NMR spectra, as well as TGA. The CPs 1–3 are 2D-polymers consisting of 1D-(CuCN) _n chain structure while the ligands alternate on both sides of the chain with associated copper atom coordination number of three. Hydrogen bonds play an essential role for developing 2D-network structure. These CPs exhibit strong fluorescent emissions in the solid state.