γ-δ Routh approximation for interval systems

The paper presents the γ-δ Routh approximation for interval systems. The interval γs and δs are evaluated for the higher order interval systems, and then an rth-order approximant is obtained by retaining the first r, interval δs, and γs. A numerical example illustrates the procedure     

Design of a high-speed optical interconnect for scalable shared-memory multiprocessors

Large-scale distributed shared-memory multiprocessors (DSMs) provide a shared address space by physically distributing the memory among different processors. A fundamental DSM communication problem that significantly affects scalability is an increase in remote memory latency as the number of system nodes increases. Remote memory latency, caused by accessing a memory location in a processor other than the one originating the request, includes both communication latency and remote memory access latency over I/O and memory buses. The proposed architecture reduces remote memory access latency by increasing connectivity and maximizing channel availability for remote communication. It also provides efficient and fast unicast, multicast, and broadcast capabilities, using a combination of aggressively designed multiplexing techniques. Simulations show that this architecture provides excellent interconnect support for a highly scalable, high-bandwidth, low-latency network.     

Information Security Policy Development and Implementation

ABSTRACT

Development of the information security policy is a critical activity. Credibility of the entire information security program of an organization depends upon a well-drafted information security policy. Most of the stakeholders do not have time or inclination to wade through a lengthy policy document. This article tries to formulate an approach to the information security policy development that will make the policy document capture the essentials of information security as applicable to a business. The document will also convey the urgency and importance of implementing the policy, not only in letter but also in spirit.     

Visual perception-based criminal identification: a query-based approach

Abstract

The visual perception of eyewitness plays a vital role in criminal identification scenario. It helps law enforcement authorities in searching particular criminal from their previous record. It has been reported that searching a criminal record manually requires too much time to get the accurate result. We have proposed a query-based approach which minimises the computational cost along with the reduction of search space. A symbolic database has been created to perform a stringent analysis on 150 public (Bollywood celebrities and Indian cricketers) and 90 local faces (our data-set). An expert knowledge has been captured to encapsulate every criminal’s anatomical and facial attributes in the form of symbolic representation. A fast query-based searching strategy has been implemented using dynamic decision tree data structure which allows four levels of decomposition to fetch respective criminal records. Two types of case studies - viewed and forensic sketches have been considered to evaluate the strength of our proposed approach. We have derived 1200 views of the entire population by taking into consideration 80 participants as eyewitness. The system demonstrates an accuracy level of 98.6% for test case I and 97.8% for test case II. It has also been reported that experimental results reduce the search space up to 30 most relevant records.     

An intelligent railway surveillance framework based on recognition of object and railway track using deep learning

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In high speed railways, the intelligent railway safety system is necessary to avoid the accidents due to collision between trains and obstacles on the railway...     

Ion beam induced formation of nanocrystalline silicon in pulsed laser deposited SiOX thin films

Synthesis and structural studies of nanocrystalline silicon grown in pulsed laser deposited SiO_X films is reported. The effect of high energy heavy ion beam irradiation on these films is studied using 100 MeV Ag ions. The structural studies were carried out using micro Raman spectroscopy, GAXRD, FTIR, TEM, HRTEM, SAED and EDX. The occurrence of phase separation in non-stoichiometric silicon oxide by means of ion beam irradiation leading to the formation of silicon nanocrystals in the films is confirmed by the results. HRTEM results reveal the structure of silicon phase formed after ion beam treatment and the particle size can be controlled up to 2-3 nm. A detailed analysis by micro Raman and HRTEM studies suggest the presence of crystallite size distribution. The results of GAXRD and SAED confirm the formation of cubic phase of silicon with two different lattice parameters. The studies conclude that the size of the nanocrystals can be controlled by varying deposition and ion irradiation parameters.     

Neural‐hybrid control of systems with sandwiched dead‐zones

The control of systems that have sandwiched nonsmooth nonlinearities, such as a dead‐zone sandwiched between two dynamic blocks, is addressed. An adaptive inverse control scheme using a hybrid controller structure and a neural network based inverse compensator, is proposed for such systems with unknown sandwiched dead‐zone. This neural‐hybrid controller consists of an inner loop discrete‐time feedback structure incorporated with an adaptive inverse using a neural network for the unknown dead‐zone, and an outer‐loop continuous‐time feedback control law for achieving desired output tracking. The dead‐zone compensator consists of two neural networks, one used as an estimator of the sandwiched dead‐zone function and the other for the compensation itself. The compensator neural network has neurons that can approximate jump functions such as a dead‐zone inverse. The weights of the two neural networks are tuned using a modified gradient algorithm. Simulation results are given to illustrate the performance of the proposed neural‐hybrid controller. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A stability study of aqueous solution of norfloxacin

A reversed-phase ion-pair high performance liquid chromatographic assay, which can simultaneously determine norfloxacin and its decomposition products, formyl piperazine and ethylenediamine analogs in aqueous media, has been developed. This assay has been applied to a stability study of norfloxacin in aqueous media. The effects of temperature, pH, oxygen and light on norfloxacin have been investigated using a 2³×3 factorial design. Results indicate that oxygen, light, temperature and pH have significant effect on the stability of norfloxacin solution. Norfloxacin is most stable at acidic and basic pH, in darkness, in the absence of oxygen and at low temperature.     

Theoretical study on strain-induced variations in electronic properties of monolayer MoS2

Ultrathin MoS₂ sheets and nanostructures are promising materials for electronic and optoelectronic devices as well as chemical catalysts. To expand their potential in applications, a fundamental understanding is needed of the electronic structure and carrier mobility as a function of strain. In this paper, the effect of strain on electronic properties of monolayer MoS₂ is investigated using ab initio simulations based on density functional theory. Our calculations are performed in both infinitely large two-dimensional (2D) sheets and one-dimensional (1D) nanoribbons which are theoretically cut from the sheets with semiconducting \( [\bar{1}100] \) (armchair) edges. The 2D crystal is studied under biaxial strain, uniaxial strain, and uniaxial stress conditions, while the 1D nanoribbon is studied under a uniaxial stress condition. Our results suggest that the electronic bandgap of the 2D sheet experiences a direct-indirect transition under both tensile and compressive strains. Its bandgap energy (E _g) decreases under tensile strain/stress conditions, while for an in-plane compression, E _g is initially raised by a small amount and then decreased as the strain varies from 0 to ?6 %. On the other hand, E _g at the semiconducting edges of monolayer MoS₂ nanoribbons is relatively invariant under uniaxial stretches or compressions. The effective masses of electrons at the conduction band minimum (CBM) and holes at the valence band maximum (VBM) are generally decreased as the in-plane extensions or compressions become stronger, but abrupt changes occur when CBM or VBM shifts between different k-points in the first Brillouin zone.     

Single- and Multiscale Laser Patterning of 3D Printed Biomedical Titanium Alloy: Toward an Enhanced Adhesion and Early Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

This study explores the enhancement of biocompatible titanium-based implants through surface functionalization for improved bone healing. Specifically, a near-beta type Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy is 3D printed using laser powder bed fusion and subsequently textured using nanosecond (ns) and picosecond (ps) direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) to create single-scale and multi-scale surface textures. On these textures, the cell behavior, morphology, metabolic activity and osteogenic differentiation potential of human bone marrow stromal cells are assessed using fluorescence microscopy and MTS assays. Moreover, tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase activity served as an early osteoblast production marker. Compared to untextured specimens, both types of textures exhibited higher metabolic activity and cell proliferation. Single-scale ns-DLIP textures encouraged cell extensions anchored in groove regions, while ps-DLIP textures with hierarchical structures promoted cell extensions attaching to nanostructures on sidewalls. The groove width and nanotopographies in groove areas facilitated cell spreading. Surface topography, roughness, and surface chemistry (surface energy, wettability) influenced cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. A comprehensive evaluation of DLIP-generated surface textures, including their topography and chemical states, complements the factors affecting in vitro cell behavior. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of surface-functionalized 3Dprinted titanium for a novel generation of biocompatible implants.