A hybrid denoising algorithm based on shearlet transform method and Yaroslavsky’s filter

In this paper, we have proposed a hybrid denoising algorithm based on combining of the shearlet transform method, as a pre-processing step, with the Yaroslavsky’s filter, as a kernel smoother, on a wide class of images with various properties such as thin features and textures. In the other word, proposed algorithm is a two-step algorithm, where in the first step the image is filtered by shearlet transform method and in the second step the weighted Yaroslavsky’s filter is applied on result of first step. The weight coefficients of the Yaroslavsky’s filter are achieved by pixel similarities in the denoised image from the first step. The theoretical results are confirmed via simulations for 2D images corrupted by additive white Gaussian noise. Experimental results illustrate that proposed hybrid method has good effect on suppressing the pseudo-Gibbs and shearlet-like artifacts can obtain better performance in terms of mean square error (MSE), peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM) index rather than existing state-of-the-art methods.     

Multi carrier energy systems and energy hubs: Comprehensive review,survey and recommendations

In this paper, the multi carrier energy (MCE) systems are reviewed from different point of views including mathematical models, integrated components and technologies, uncertainty management, planning objectives, environmental pollution, resilience, and robustness. The basic of MCE systems is formed by combination of cooling, heating and power (CCHP). The natural gas and electricity are the main inputs to MCE systems and the cooling, heating, and electricity are the common outputs. The regular energy converters in the MCE systems are combined heat and power (CHP), gas boiler, absorption-electrical chillers, power to gas (P2G) and fuel-cell. The generic energy storages are electrical, heating, cooling, hydrogen, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydro systems.     

Kinetic study of radical polymerization. II. Solid‐state bulk polymerization of sodium methacrylate by differential scanning calorimetry

The solid‐state radical polymerization of sodium methacrylate was investigated. It was initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile, which was used as a radical initiator. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to observe the endothermic and exothermic transitions during the polymerization reaction. Structural studies were performed with the DSC thermograms and Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectra, and all of the results confirmed the progress of the reaction. The obtained data revealed that the polymerization reaction proceeded completely with a 100% conversion. ΔH of this reaction was calculated with various amounts of the initiator, and the peak temperatures were determined at different heating rates. The activation energy (19.7 kcal mol^?1) was also obtained by the Kissinger method for this type of solid polymerization reaction. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1648–1654, 2003     

Effect of modified single‐wall carbon nanotubes on mechanical and morphological properties of thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites based on (polyamide 6)/(acrylonitrile butadiene rubber)

Thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and polyamide 6 (PA6), with acid functionalized single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), were prepared via a direct melt‐mixing process in an internal mixer. The influence of SWNT content (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5) on morphological properties of PA6/NBR with different ratios (80/20, 70/30, 60/40) were then investigated. Characterization of nanocomposites was conducted by using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs proved the droplet‐matrix blend morphology in which the size of NBR droplets decreased as the SWNT loading increased, suggesting dispersion of SWNT in the PA6 phase. It was further proved by transmission electron microscopy images, showing homogenous dispersion of SWNT in the PA6 phase. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed a slightly reduced percentage of crystallinity in samples containing SWNT. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites indicated an enhancement in tensile strength, modulus, and hardness on increasing SWNT content. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:336–341, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Host (nanopores of zeolite Y)-guest (oxovanadium(IV) tetradentate schiff-base complexes) nanocomposite materials: synthesis,characterization and liquid phase hydroxylation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide

Oxovanadium(IV) tetradentate Schiff-base complexes; [VO(X₂-haacac)] (X = H, Cl, CH₃ and NO₂), X₂-haacac = substituted bis(2-hydroxyanil)acetylacetone; and encapsulated in the nanopores of zeolite NaY; [VO(X₂-haacac)]-NaY; have been synthesized and characterized. The host-guest nanocomposite materials; [VO(X₂-haacac)]-NaY; was characterized by chemical analysis and spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, UV/VIS, XRD, BET and DRS). The analytical data indicated a composition corresponding to the mononuclear complex of Schiff-base ligand. The characterization data showed the absence of extraneous complexes, retention of zeolite crystalline structure and encapsulation in the nanopores. Substitution of the aromatic hydrogen atoms of the Schiff-base ligand by electron withdrawing groups like −Cl, and −NO₂ has two major effects: (1) retention and concentration of the oxovanadium(IV) complex in the zeolite cavities is enhanced (due to the larger size of the substituents) and (2) the electronic and spectral properties of the encapsulated complex are modified. Liquid-phase selective hydroxylation of phenol with H₂O₂ to a mixture of catechol and hydroquinone in CH₃CN has been reported using oxovanadium(IV) Schiff-base complexes encapsulated in zeolite-Y as catalysts. Reaction conditions have been optimized by considering the concentration of substrate and oxidant, amount of catalyst, effect of time, volume of solvent and temperature. Under the optimized reaction conditions, [VO((NO₂)₂-haacac)]-NaY has shown the highest conversion of 42.3% after 6 h. All these catalysts are more selective toward catechol formation. Encapsulated oxovanadium(IV) complex is catalytically very efficient as compared to other neat complexes for the hydroxylation of phenol and is stable to be recycled without much deterioration.     

Wrapping carbon nanotubes by biopolymer chains: Role of nanointerfaces in detection of vapors in conductive polymer composite transducers

Chitosan (CS) and hydrophobic‐modified chitosan (HM‐CS) chains were wrapped onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and introduced to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrices as nanohybrid conductive polymer composites (CPCs) for detection of polar vapors. The effect of grafted alkyl groups on polarity of CS chains were studied by quantum mechanics (QM). The designed composites were applied as sensitive layers to clarify the response mechanism in CPCs gas sensors. It was realized that the wrapped biopolymers intensely influenced the sensitivity of the composites. Experiment results specified that the nature of biomacromolecules and their interactions with vapor molecules affects the resistance change in CPCs. The higher interaction of CS with polar vapor molecules caused more plasticization of polymer segments in the MWNTs connections. Such phenomenon enhanced the resistance change in the presence of analytes. Moreover, it was inferred that the semiconductor character of MWNTs has an important effect in the final signals. The more polar structure of CS in comparison with HM‐CS enhanced the adsorption of vapor molecules on the surface of MWNTs, and the electron donor analytes decreased the conductivity of p‐type MWNTs increasing the final responses. The presented results corroborate that the performance of CPCs gas sensors could be finely tuned through manipulation of the nanointerfaces. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2803–2810, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Modified guar gum: An alternative source for printing of cotton fabric with reactive dye

The alginate thickener is the thickener frequently used for reactive printing of textile. The thickener responds with reactive pigments and thus does not lead to the fabric composition becoming stiffer. In this study, we prepared oxidised natural guar gum with hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. All other polysaccharides comprise reactive hydroxyl units with a stronger reactivity that must be replaced if they are to be used in reactive printing. Guar derivatives were synthesised and verified using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Natural thickeners, synthetic guar gum derivatives, have been employed in textile printing technique. In comparison to other synthetic thickeners, modified environmental guar gum polymer has been shown to be an ecologically friendly and low-cost thickener. Cotton fabric printed with modified guar thickening with hydrogen peroxide has even stronger colour strength than fabric printed with sodium alginate thickener, which is highly favourable. Penetration properties, colour value, colour strength, colour fastness to washing, light and rubbing was compared with alginate thickener (readily available on the market). Guar gum thickeners showed enhanced features versus sodium alginate for reactive printing. Partially replaced guar gum is an appropriate option due to the colour and physical properties.     

Expression of Main Toll-Like Receptors in Patients with Different Types of Colorectal Polyps and Their Relationship with Gut Microbiota

Abnormal activation of Toll-like receptor (TLRs) signaling can result in colon cancer development. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of important TLRs in different histological types of colorectal polyps and evaluate their relationship with intestinal microbiota. The expression levels of TLR2, 3, 4, and 5 were analyzed in intestinal biopsy specimens of 21 hyperplastic polyp (HP), 16 sessile serrated adenoma (SSA), 29 tubular adenoma (TA), 21 villous/tubulovillous (VP/TVP) cases, and 31 normal controls. In addition, selected gut bacteria including Streptococcus bovis, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas spp., Lactobacillus spp., Roseburia spp., and Bifidobacterium spp. were quantified in fecal samples using absolute qRT PCR, and, finally, the association between TLRs and these gut microbiota- was evaluated by Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Higher expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in VP/TVP and TA, and lower expression levels of TLR3 and TLR5 in all type of polyps were observed. The differences in TLR expression patterns was not only dependent on the histology, location, size, and dysplasia grade of polyps but also related to the intestinal microbiota patterns. TLR2 and TLR4 expression was directly associated with the F. nucleatum, E. faecalis, S. bovis, Porphyromonas, and inversely to Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Roseburia quantity. Furthermore, TLR3 and TLR5 expression was directly associated with Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, and Lactobacillus quantity. Our results suggest a possible critical role of TLRs during colorectal polyp progression. An abnormal regulation of TLRs in relation to gut microbial quantity may contribute to carcinogenesis.     

Defining Dry Eye from a Clinical Perspective

Over the past decades, the number of patients with dry eye disease (DED) has increased dramatically. The incidence of DED is higher in Asia than in Europe and North America, suggesting the involvement of cultural or racial factors in DED etiology. Although many definitions of DED have been used, discrepancies exist between the various definitions of dry eye disease (DED) used across the globe. This article presents a clinical consensus on the definition of DED, as formulated in four meetings with global DED experts. The proposed new definition is as follows: “Dry eye is a multifactorial disease characterized by a persistently unstable and/or deficient tear film (TF) causing discomfort and/or visual impairment, accompanied by variable degrees of ocular surface epitheliopathy, inflammation and neurosensory abnormalities.” The key criteria for the diagnosis of DED are unstable TF, inflammation, ocular discomfort and visual impairment. This definition also recommends the assessment of ocular surface epitheliopathy and neurosensory abnormalities in each patient with suspected DED. It is easily applicable in clinical practice and should help practitioners diagnose DED consistently. This consensus definition of DED should also help to guide research and clinical trials that, to date, have been hampered by the lack of an established surrogate endpoint.     

Nanoraspberry-like palladium/spongy nickel oxide for electrooxidation of five light fuels

The spongy nickel oxide (SNO) was synthesized the solution combustion method. The SNO was selected as a promoter to boost the catalytic activity of nanoraspberry-like palladium (NRPd) toward electrooxidation of five light fuels (LFs): methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, and ethylene glycol. The X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscope techniques were used for the materials characterization. In comparison with nonpromoted Pd, the NRPd-SNO electrocatalyst shown an excellent efficiency in parameters like the electrochemical active surface area and anti-CO poisoning behavior. The turnover data and the parameters, including reaction order, activation energy, and the coefficients of electron transfer and diffusion, were evaluated for the each process of LFs electrooxidation. The outcome for NRPd-SNO activity toward LFs electrooxidation was compared to some reported electrodes. The SNO increases the removal of intermediates created in the oxidation of LFs that can poison the surface of palladium catalyst. This is due to the presence of the lattice oxygens in SNO structure and Ni switching between its high and low valances. The compatibility of the adsorption process of LFs on the surface of the NRPd-SNO catalyst with different isotherms was determined by studying the Tafel polarization and calculating the surface coverage.