Application-Specific Instruction-Set Processor for Retinex-Like Image and Video Processing

This brief presents an application-specific instruction-set processor (ASIP) for real-time Retinex image and video filtering. Design optimizations are addressed at algorithmic and architectural levels, the latter including a dedicated memory structure, an adapted pipeline, bypasses, a custom address generator and special looping structures. Synthesized in CMOS technology, the ASIP stands for its better energy-flexibility tradeoff versus reference ASIC and digital signal processing Retinex implementations.     

Ochratoxin A in pork kidneys--description of a method

A rapid procedure for the isolation and clean-up on a silica gel column is described for the determination of Ochratoxin A from pork kidneys. The detection limit is 0.3 microgram/kg.     

Development of a simple low-cost solar simulator for indoor collector testing

Indoor test methods for solar collectors are widely accepted and recommended by ASHRAE. The development of a solar simulator for indoor testing and the certification procedure for photo-thermal solar devices is discussed in this paper. The system consists of 14 quartz halogen lamps and provides a testing area of about 1 × 1 m. The irradiance can be varied from 400 to 1500 W/m². This is achieved by varying the input power supplied to individual lamps. The radiation output characteristics of a single lamp have been studied. The distribution of intensity over the covered area of 1·20 × 1·20 m has been recorded using a precision Eppley pyranometer.A variety of collectors—evacuated tubular collectors and flat-plate collectors of both liquid and air heating types—has been tested under sufficiently stable insolation conditions. Results for a conventional solar air heater are presented together with suggestions for further improvements.     

Wastewater treatment in tsunami affected areas of Thailand by constructed wetlands.

The tsunami of December 2004 destroyed infrastructure in many coastal areas in South-East Asia. In January 2005, the Danish Government gave a tsunami relief grant to Thailand to re-establish the wastewater management services in some of the areas affected by the tsunami. This paper describes the systems which have been built at three locations: (a) Baan Pru Teau: A newly-built township for tsunami victims which was constructed with the contribution of the Thai Red Cross. Conventional septic tanks were installed for the treatment of blackwater from each household and its effluent and grey water (40 m3/day) are collected and treated at a 220 m2 subsurface flow constructed wetland. (b) Koh Phi Phi Don island: A wastewater collection system for the main business and hotel area of the island, a pumping station and a pressure pipe to the treatment facility, a multi-stage constructed wetland system and a system for reuse of treated wastewater. The constructed wetland system (capacity 400 m3/day) consists of vertical flow, horizontal subsurface flow, free water surface flow and pond units. Because the treatment plant is surrounded by resorts, restaurants and shops, the constructed wetland systems are designed with terrains as scenic landscaping. (c) Patong: A 5,000 m2 constructed wetland system has been established to treat polluted water from drainage canals which collect overflow from septic tanks and grey water from residential areas. It is envisaged that these three systems will serve as prototype demonstration systems for appropriate wastewater management in Thailand and other tropical countries.     

Component vs. system burn-in techniques for electronic equipment

Simulation can be used to determine the effects of different combinations of in-process and system burn-in times. It is shown that optimal burn-in at each stage of component assembly is not always optimal for the final system. Simulation is used to evaluate a nonrepairable system and provides individual component burn-in times that optimize the mean residual life of the assembled system     

Effect of hot water spray washing on the appearance of lamb carcasses of different weights

Lamb carcasses of > 22 kg weight were not adversely affected by spray washing, but carcasses of < 22 kg weight were affected to some extent. Characteristics of carcasses significantly affected included the appearance of the fat in the crutch region and on the back, and the degree of flaccidity and dampness of the abdominal region. These faults were alleviated somewhat during refrigerated storage and consequently the faults detected in the experiments were probably not of commercial significance since, under pilot market tests in Europe, buyers did not find any faults in spray washed carcasses.     

Kinetic studies of the electrochemical reaction between lithium and phthalocyanine II. Reduction reaction mechanism

The effects, during formation, of current density, charge capacity, and concentration and temperature of H₂SO₄ electrolyte on the capacity of tubular electrodes in lead/acid batteries have been studied. Electrode capacity was found to be maximum at a H₂SO₄ concentration of 1.05 sp. gr., a charge amount of 250% theoretical capacity, a current density of 0.44 A dm^?2, and an electrolyte temperature of 40 °C. A study of the soaking process for tubular electrodes showed the electrode capacity to be maximum when the acid absorption was about 170 mg of H₂SO₄ per g of oxide. Finally, the discharge overpotential of tubular electrodes was analyzed by a galvanostatic transient method.