Multiple human tracking in drone image

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Object tracking, especially human tracking is one of the challenging research problems in computer vision. Although the performance has gained some positive...     

Boolean-based fractional order SMC for switching systems: application to a DC-DC buck converter

The combination of sliding mode control and fractional order control (FOC) has received a considerable attention in the last years due to the advances and effectiveness of FOC solving robust control problems. This paper collects different methods to apply FOC in sliding mode problems through the use of fractional order surfaces and proposes a direct boolean control (BC) strategy based on this kind of surfaces. The application of BC is novel and takes advantage of avoiding the use of PWM. Simulation results for a DC-DC buck converter application are given to show the goodness of the proposed approach.     

Finite element modeling of the human cervical spinal column: Role of the uncovertebral joint

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - The cervical intervertebral disc has a unique feature in that a fissure or cleft runs along the uncinate process toward the nucleus pulposus called...     

Evaluation of table olive by‐product as a source of natural antioxidants

The main by‐product from the table olive canning industry is the stone with some residual olive flesh. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the composition – phenolic compounds (hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and oleuropein) and tocopherol – and the antioxidant activity in different fractions (flesh, stone and seed) from the table olive by‐product and the whole by‐product. The highest amounts of phenolic compounds (1710.0 ± 33.8 mg kg^?1) as well as the highest antioxidant activity (8226.9 ± 9.9 hydroxytyrosol equivalents mg kg^?1) were obtained in the seed. The highest amounts of hydroxytyrosol (854.8 ± 66.0 mg kg^?1) and tyrosol (423.6 ± 56.9 mg kg^?1) were found in the whole by‐product from the pepper stuffed olives, while the stone without seed had the maximum oleuropein content (750.2 ± 85.3 mg kg^?1). α‐Tocopherol values were between 79.8 ± 20.8 mg kg^?1 in the seed of the olive stone and 6.2 ± 1.2 mg kg^?1 in the whole by‐product from the anchovy‐stuffed olives. In light of the results obtained, it would seem possible to use table olive by‐product as a source of natural antioxidants in foods, cosmetics or pharmaceutical products, thus contributing to diminishing the environmental impact of table olive by‐product and to its revalorisation.     

Isolation and identification of an antiproliferative substance from fructose–tyrosine Maillard reaction products

We isolated a substance from fructose–tyrosine Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and investigated its antiproliferative effect on six human cancer cell lines. The ethyl acetate fraction of fructose–tyrosine MRPs showed a strong antiproliferative effect; this fraction was isolated and purified using silica gel column chromatography, semipreparative RP-HPLC, and recycling HPLC. The structure of the purified compound was determined using spectroscopic methods. The isolated compound was identified as 2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenal (C₁₆H₁₄O₃, HPB242). HPB242 inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner (10–80 μg/ml) on the six human cancer cell lines. The IC₅₀ values of HPB242 on the six human cancer cell lines were 17.34 μg/ml (MCF-7), 29.21 μg/ml (HCT-116), 34.57 μg/ml (H-460), 34.87 μg/ml (HepG2), 48.77 μg/ml (PC-3), and 55.83 μg/ml (MKN-45).     

Triethyl and tributyl phosphite as flame-retarding additives in Li-ion batteries

This study examined the influence of triethyl and tributyl phosphite (TEP and TBP) additives on the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion cells. The cell performance of the TEP- and TBP-containing electrolytes was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, thermogravimetric analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The flammability of the electrolytes was also investigated by measuring the self-extinguishing time of the electrolytes. The results showed that the TEP and TBP additives suppressed the flammability of the electrolyte, with a significant improvement in cell performance observed for the TEP additive. In addition, TEP and TBP additives improved the thermal stability of the battery and its electrochemical cell performance. Overall, 5 wt% TEP and TBP can be used as a flame-retarding additive to improve the cell performance of Li-ion batteries due to the decrease in cell impedance and SEI formation.     

Ag/Ni Metallization Bilayer: A Functional Layer for Highly Efficient Polycrystalline SnSe Thermoelectric Modules

The structural and electrical characteristics of Ag/Ni bilayer metallization on polycrystalline thermoelectric SnSe were investigated. Two difficulties with thermoelectric SnSe metallization were identified for Ag and Ni single layers: Sn diffusion into the Ag metallization layer and unexpected cracks in the Ni metallization layer. The proposed Ag/Ni bilayer was prepared by hot-pressing, demonstrating successful metallization on the SnSe surface without interfacial cracks or elemental penetration into the metallization layer. Structural analysis revealed that the Ni layer reacts with SnSe, forming several crystalline phases during metallization that are beneficial for reducing contact resistance. Detailed investigation of the Ni/SnSe interface layer confirms columnar Ni-Sn intermetallic phases [(Ni₃Sn and Ni₃Sn₂) and Ni_5.63SnSe₂] that suppress Sn diffusion into the Ag layer. Electrical specific-contact resistivity (5.32 × 10^?4 Ω cm²) of the Ag/Ni bilayer requires further modification for development of high-efficiency polycrystalline SnSe thermoelectric modules.