The use of non–physical standards in colour communication and matching

As a result of developments in spectrophotometry, together with improved accuracy in computer colour matching and laboratory dyeing, non–physical standards (reflectance data) can now be used for the successful communication, matching and quality control of colour. In colour palette generation, ‘matching by numbers’ has become a reality.     

Influence of Substrate Type on Level Dyeing of Acrylic Yarn Packages

In an earlier paper [1], the influence of flow rate, ramp (constant rate of temperature rise) and package density on the rates of dyeing of two basic dyes on Ex/an, and on the levelness obtained in the resulting dyeings, was investigated, and a relationship was derived to link these factors quantitatively. This work has now been extended to cover the behaviour of various basic dyes on Exlan and other acrylic fibres, under conditions expected to give borderline levelness. It has been shown that the shape of the rate–of–dyeing curve depends on the type of acrylic fibre and, to a lesser extent, on the cationic retarder used, but not on dye type within the group of CV2. 5–3. 5 basic dyes examined. The response of dyeing rate and degree of unlevelness to deliberate variations of ramp, as demonstrated in the previous work on Exlan, is now confirmed on Cashmilon. Evidence of a different type of random unlevelness, not related directly to dyeing rate, was also obtained from dyeings on the various fibres at a slow ramp.     

Microstructural Evidence for Diffusion-Driven Tetragonal-to-Orthorhombic Phase Transformation in Y-Ba-Cu-O Superconductor

Microstructures of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductor were observed using a polarized microscope. Orthorhombic and tetragonal phases were easily distinguished by the optical etching with cross-polarized light. In the specimen cooled rapidly in oxygen, it was possible to see the path of oxygen diffusion by observing the variation of the twin concentration. At the boundary between transformed and untransformed materials, evidence for diffusion-driven transformation could be clearly seen.     

Adsorption and desorption characteristics of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid onto activated carbon

Adsorption and desorption characteristics of the 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) from aqueous solution onto the activated carbon (GAC, F-400) were studied. Adsorption equilibrium capacities of the MCPA increased with decreasing pH and temperature of the solution. Adsorption equilibrium of the MCPA could be represented by the Sips equation. The internal diffusion coefficients were determined by comparing the experimental concentration decay curves with those predicted from surface diffusion model and pore diffusion model. The adsorption model based on the linear driving force approximation (LDFA) was used for simulating the adsorption behavior of the MCPA in a fixed bed. Over ninety five percent desorption of the MCPA could be obtained using distilled water.     

Monodisperse polymer/metal composite particles by electroless chemical deposition: Effect of surface functionality of polymer particles

Micron‐sized polymer particles were coated with layers of nickel compounds by plating electrolessly in the presence of aqueous solutions of nickel chloride, sodium hypophosphite, sodium citrate, and ammonium chloride at elevated temperature. The uniform functional polymer particle could be obtained by seeded polymerization. To investigate the effect of surface functionality on the conditions for nickel deposition, the polymer particle was functionalized with the thiol group. From morphological observation, it was found that the mode of nickel deposition was greatly dependent on the surface functionality of the polymer particle. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 420–424, 2003     

An analysis of muscles from ultrasound image using morphological information of fascia and thoracic vertebra

In this paper, we propose a new fully computerized image analysis method for measuring the thickness of muscles from ultrasound image obtained by muscle endurance test using morphological information of fascia and thoracic vertebra. Firstly, we divide the image into lumbar region and thoracolumbar region by the difference of density in image for measuring the thickness of muscles. In lumbar region, we notice that the intensity of fascia is relatively higher than other parts. Thus, we measure the thickness of muscles surrounding the fascia area. In the process, we apply median filter to candidate fascia areas for extracting candidate muscle layers between fascias. Then, the thickness of muscles we measure is that of the third layer. In thoracolumbar region, we apply region expansion method for classifying the region into subcutaneous fat part and part including thoracic vertebra. Then, we apply counting method and evolutionary computation search model to find the measuring location that is in between subcutaneous fat area and thoracic vertebra. In experiment, the proposed method is effective in measuring the thickness of muscles and avoids failures of previous studies. The performance of this approach is sufficiently comparable to that of medical experts.     

Digital evidence discovery of networked multimedia smart devices based on social networking activities

Unquestionably, networked multimedia smart devices are commonly adopted in contemporary ubiquitous wireless computing era with unprecedented evolving pace in terms of mobility, portability, and pervasiveness. Regrettably, those technology-oriented gadgets are phenomenally exploited by cyber criminals or get involved in computer-related incidents unknowingly. Substantively, the detection, prevention, and the related digital forensics of the above scenarios are becoming tremendously urgent both in public and private sectors. Therefore, in this research, we investigate the scenario when state-of-the-art wireless communication technologies are integrated with the networked smart devices where digital evidences may exist and they could be disclosed when appropriate standard operating procedures are suitably applied. Accordingly, in this paper, a PDA with the built-in GPS navigation functionality via the ubiquitous Wi-Fi connection to a popular social networking platform (facebook) is cross examined concerning the related digital evidence collecting and discovering in terms of revealing previous facebook user accounts on the mobile device without shutting off the power. The research provides a generic framework for the digital forensics specialists to contemplate when the networked smart devices are involved in the related criminal investigation cases especially when omnipresent social networking platforms are becoming the new avenue for the escalating, stringent, and heinous cybercrimes.     

Preparation of nano-sized silicon carbide powder using thermal plasma

Nano-sized silicon carbide (SiC) powder was prepared by thermal plasma process using silicon tetrachloride (SiCl₄) and methane (CH₄). The synthesized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy and particle size analyzer. The powder was dominated by β-SiC including some of α-SiC and free carbon species. The quality of the powder was varied with process conditions such as the molar ratio of H/Si and C/Si, and collecting positions. It was known that the conversion to SiC was mainly affected by the addition of hydrogen gas because it promoted the decomposition and reduction of SiCL. CH₄ was easily decomposed to carbon species for the formation of SiC as well as removal of impure oxygen, but excessive carbon suppressed the formation of crystalline SiC and resulted in the solid carbon contamination. The optimum ratio of H/Si was approx. 26 and that of C/Si was 1.1. For collecting positions, the powder collected at the vessel and filter was preferable to that at the reaction tube. The average size of the powder synthesized was estimated to be below 100 nm and uniform in distribution.     

AMMONIA CATALYZED ORGANOSOLV DELIGNIFICATION OF POPLAR

A parametric investigation of NH₄OH catalyzed solvent delignification of poplar was conducted to define pretreatment conditions which would yield an optimal separation of the biomass components and an enzymatic susceptible solid carbohydrate phase. Delignification parameters of interest included concentration of NH₄OH, time and temperature of the reaction, and type of solvent. The addition of 0.82 M NH₄OH to the delignification liquor increased lignin removal and decreased carbohydrate degradation, but increasing NH₄OH concentration had no additional effect. At lower reaction temperatures, the extent of delignification increased with reaction time; at higher temperatures, a “relignification” of the pretreated wood was observed. The delignification and hemicellulose solubilization were modelled and rate constants reported. No major difference between three potential pulping solvents—ethanol, butanol, phenol—was observed. The enzymatic susceptibility of pretreated wood samples was approximately 6-fold greater than that of the untreated poplar. UV absorbance was used to qualitatively characterize the soiubilized lignins.     

Concentration of tocopherols from soybean sludge by supercritical carbon dioxide

A supercritical fluid extraction method has been applied to test the feasibility of tocopherol concentration from soybean sludge with carbon dioxide at temperatures and pressures ranging from 35 to 70°C and 200 to 400 bar, respectively. The supercritical solubility of the esterified soybean sludge was over 4–6 times greater than that of the original soybean sludge. By a simple batch-type one-stage method the tocopherols in the esterified soybean sludge could be concentrated up to 40 wt%. The overall results of the present study show that soybean sludge initially containing about 13–14 wt% tocopherols may require a countercurrent multistage column to be highly and effectively concentrated.