Software for simulating dichromatic perception of video streams

We have designed a configurable stand‐alone Matlab‐based software to simulate dichromatic perception of video streams. The algorithm used is an extension for video streams of the “corresponding pair algorithm” by Capilla and coworkers for simulation of dichromatic perception of images. The software allows the user to upload a video sequence and to process it using different dichromatic color vision models and viewing conditions. The output video may be generated in different spatial and temporal resolutions and file formats. The functions for Matlab environment and a stand‐alone application may be downloaded from the Repository of the University of Alicante. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 39, 486–491, 2014     

The Composition of Mixed Micelles Formed by Dodecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide and Benzethonium Chloride in Water

The composition of the mixed micelles formed by benzethonium chloride and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in water were experimentally determined by a combination of surfactant ion-selective electrodes and UV–Vis spectroscopy measurements. Results were compared with the computed compositions from three theories on mixed micelles available in the literature (Regular Solution, Motomura’ and Georgiev’s). The basis of the Junquera and Aicart method and the determination of the micelle aggregation number (N) by pyrene fluorescence quenching, i.e., the constancy of N and the mixed micelle composition when the total concentration is changed, were not supported by our experimental results. Experimental micelle compositions were statistically equal to those computed by Regular Solution Theory. The mixed micelle composition and the quantity of non-micellized surfactant molecules change with concentration above the critical micelle concentration, and therefore do not support the assumptions used in the Junquera and Aicart procedure and in the determination of N by pyrene fluorescence quenching. The reason why the latter procedure gives N values similar to those obtained from other techniques is discussed.     

Methanol Conversion to Hydrocarbons (MTH) Over H-ITQ-13 (ITH) Zeolite

Product flexibility is key to meeting fluctuating chemicals demands in the future. In this contribution, the methanol to hydrocarbons (MTH) reaction was investigated over two Ge-containing H-ITQ-13 samples, one with needle-like (H-ITQ-13(N), with (Si+Ge)/Al) = 42) and another with plate-like (H-ITQ-13(P), with (Si+Ge)/Al > 100) morphology. The samples were characterised using XRD, BET, SEM/EDS and FTIR spectroscopy, and their MTH performance was compared with the performance of H-ZSM-5 and H-ZSM-22. Similar specific surface areas (413 and 455 m² g^?1 for H-ITQ-13(N) and (P), respectively) and similar acid strength (Δν ~ ?327(?310) cm^?1) was observed for the two H-ITQ-13 samples. Testing of H-ITQ-13(N) at weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) = 2–8 h^?1 at 350–450 °C revealed that C₅₊ alkenes were the main products (35–45 % selectivity at 400 °C), followed by propene and butene. A low but significant selectivity for aromatic products was observed (6–8 % selectivity at 400 °C). Product selectivity was found to be independent of deactivation. The methanol conversion capacity of H-ITQ-13(N) was 120–150 g methanol g^?1 catalyst at 400 °C. Testing H-ITQ-13 at high (30 atm) and ambient pressure, respectively, at 350 °C showed that a high pressure led to enhanced C₅₊ selectivity, but close to a tenfold decrease in methanol conversion capacity. H-ITQ-13(P) was tested at 400 °C and 2 h^?1. It gave lower conversion than H-ITQ-13(N). Furthermore, when compared at the same conversion level, H-ITQ-13(P) gave higher C₅₊ alkene selectivity, lower aromatics selectivity, and a higher propene to ethene ratio than H-ITQ-13(N). The H-ITQ-13 samples yielded a product spectrum intermediate of H-ZSM-22 and H-ZSM-5. The effluent product cut-off of H-ITQ-13 was similar to that of H-ZSM-5 with tetramethylbenzene as the largest significant product, while H-ZSM-22 produced mainly linear and branched alkenes. The lifetime of H-ITQ-13(N) was clearly enhanced compared to H-ZSM-22, but inferior to H-ZSM-5.     

Viscosity virtual sensor to control combustion in fossil fuel power plants

Thermo-electrical power plants utilize fossil fuel oil to transform the calorific power of fuel into electric power. An optimal combustion in the boiler requires the fuel oil to be in its best conditions. One of fuel's most important properties to consider is viscosity. Viscosity has influence on the optimal combustion between fuel and air. Hardware viscosity meters for fuel oils are expensive and unreliable to operate in power plant conditions. Chemical laboratory measures viscosity accurately with special apparatus, but they cannot be used in a real time process. This paper describes the development of a virtual sensor that estimates fuel oil viscosity in the combustion process of a power plant. A virtual sensor or soft sensor is a computer program that estimates the value of a certain variable based on related measurements and a model of the process where the variable participates. In this project, a probabilistic model is constructed using automatic learning algorithms with historical data and experts' advice. The learning and validation experiments are described and discussed. The virtual sensor is installed in the Tuxpan Power Plant in Veracruz, Mexico.     

Optimization of Sesame Oil Extraction by Screw-Pressing at Low Temperature

Box-Behnken designs were used to optimize a process for sesame oil extraction by screw-pressing at low temperature (50 °C). Experimental designs included seed moisture content (SMC), pressing speed (PS), and restriction die (RD) as the main processing parameters. Extractions at pilot plant scale showed a peak in oil recovery (OR, 71.1 ± 2.80%) at 12.3% SMC, 4 mm RD, and 20 rpm PS. Theoretical models were scanned against experimental data in order to scale up the proposed oil extraction process to industrial scale. A fitted model for OR showed a maximum predicted value similar to the highest experimental value (74.4 ± 1.23%) under the following conditions: 8.03% SMC, 10 mm RD, and 20 rpm PS. Chemical quality parameters of oils obtained at both pilot and industrial scales were in the ranges stated in Codex (FAO/WHO) standards for non-refined sesame oil.     

User encoding for clustering in very sparse recommender systems tasks

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Recommender Systems are a very useful tool which let companies and service providers focus in the preferences of their customers, helping them to avoid an...