A Hybrid Duo-Deep Learning and Best Features Based Framework forActionRecognition

Human Action Recognition (HAR) is a current research topic in the field of computer vision that is based on an important application known as video surveillance. Researchers in computer vision have introduced various intelligent methods based on deep learning and machine learning, but they still face many challenges such as similarity in various actions and redundant features. We proposed a framework for accurate human action recognition (HAR) based on deep learning and an improved features optimization algorithm in this paper. From deep learning feature extraction to feature classification, the proposed framework includes several critical steps. Before training fine-tuned deep learning models – MobileNet-V2 and Darknet53 – the original video frames are normalized. For feature extraction, pre-trained deep models are used, which are fused using the canonical correlation approach. Following that, an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO)-based algorithm is used to select the best features. Following that, the selected features were used to classify actions using various classifiers. The experimental process was performed on six publicly available datasets such as KTH, UT-Interaction, UCF Sports, Hollywood, IXMAS, and UCF YouTube, which attained an accuracy of 98.3%, 98.9%, 99.8%, 99.6%, 98.6%, and 100%, respectively. In comparison with existing techniques, it is observed that the proposed framework achieved improved accuracy.     

Synthesis of thermally evaporated ZnSe thin film at room temperature

Zinc selenide (ZnSe) thin film on glass substrates were prepared by thermal evaporation under high vacuum using the quasi-closed volume technique at room temperature (300 ± 2 K). The deposited ZnSe properties were assessed via X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscope (AFM), UV-Vis specrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy, photo-luminescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the film exhibited reflection corresponding to the cubic (111) phase (2θ = 27.20°). This analysis indicated that the sample is polycrystalline and have cubic (Zinc blende) structure. The crystallites were preferentially oriented with the (111) planes parallel to the substrates. The AFM images showed that the ZnSe films have smooth morphology with roughness 6.74 nm. The transmittance spectrum revealed a high transmission of 89% in the infrared region (≥ 600 nm) and a low transmission of 40% at 450 nm. The maximum transmission of 89.6% was observed at 640 nm. Optical band-gap was calculated from the transmission data of specrophotometry, photo-luminescence and ellipsometry and was 2.76, 2.74 and 2.82 eV respectively. Raman spectroscopic studies revealed two longitudinal optical phonon modes at 252 cm ^-1 and 500 cm ^-1. In photoluminescence study, the luminescence peaks was observed at 452 nm corresponding to band to band emission. FT-IR study illustrated the existence of Zn-Se bonding in ZnSe thin film. The optical constants were calculated using spectroscopic ellipsometry and were determined from the best fit ellipsometric data in the wavelength regime of interest from 370-1000 nm. These results manifested excellent room temperature ZnSe synthesis and characteristics for opto-electronics technologies.     

Evaluation of diclofenac prodrugs for enhancing transdermal delivery

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the approach of using diclofenac acid (DA) prodrugs for enhancing transdermal delivery.

Methods: Methanol diclofenac ester (MD), ethylene glycol diclofenac ester (ED), glycerol diclofenac ester (GD) and 1,3-propylene glycol diclofenac ester (PD) were synthesized and evaluated for their physicochemical properties such as solubilities, octanol/water partition coefficients, stratum corneum/water partition coefficients, hydrolysis rates and bioconversion rates. In vitro fluxes across human epidermal membrane (HEM) in the Franz diffusion cell were determined on DA-, MD-, ED-, GD- and PD-saturated aqueous solutions.

Results: The formation of GD and ED led to the prodrugs with higher aqueous solubilities and lower partition coefficients than those of the parent drug. Prodrugs with improved aqueous solubility showed better fluxes across HEM in aqueous solution than that of the parent drug, with GD showing the highest aqueous solubility and also the highest flux. There is a linear relationship between the aqueous solubility and flux for DA, ED and PD, but GD and MD deviated from the linear line.

Conclusion: Diclofenac prodrugs with improved hydrophilicity than the parent drug could be utilized for enhancing transdermal diclofenac delivery.     

Kinetic parameters of a low enriched uranium fuelled material test research reactor at end-of-life

The kinetic parameters at end-of-life of a material test reactor fuelled with low enriched uranium fuel were calculated. The reactor used for the study was the IAEA’s 10 MW benchmark reactor. Simulations were carried out to calculate core excess reactivity, neutron flux spectrum, prompt neutron generation time and effective delayed neutron fraction. Nuclear reactor analysis codes including WIMS-D4 and CITATION were employed to carry out these calculations. It was observed that in comparison with the beginning-of-life values, at end-of-life, the neutron flux increased throughout the core, the prompt neutron generation time increased by 3.68% while the effective delayed neutron fraction decreased by 0.35%.     

Non-Newtonian nanofluid characteristics over a melting wedge: A numerical study

A study is conducted to determine the impact of joule heating, thermo-diffusion, and chemical reaction effect on wedge flow with melting. Using similarity transformation, the nonlinear PDEs regulate nanofluid flow is converted to nonlinear ODEs. The MATLAB solver is used to solve the boundary value problem numerically. The interaction of relevant physical entities on nanoparticle concentration, nanofluid temperature, nanofluid velocity, skin friction, rate of heat, and mass transfer is graphically portrayed. This study will aid in the development of cooling devices and various shapes in heat sinks, as well as improving the heat transfer characteristics of Casson flow and strengthening formerly industrial uses. In the limiting situation, current findings are compared to analysis of findings. Flow velocity and concentration compacts in association with enhancing values of chemical reaction factor while temperature increases with enhancing the values of chemical reaction parameter. An upsurge in the temperature of the fluid is seen with the increasing Eckert number. It is found that the melting process increases the thicknesses of Solutal, thermal, and momentum boundary layers while it reduces mass transfer rate, heat transfer rate, and Skin friction. The Casson fluid displays a superior heat transfer mechanism than the Newtonian fluid. This study would be valuable in designing cooling gadgets and heat sinks of various shapes which will enhance the heat transfer properties of Casson nanofluids thereby increasing their applications in industrial perspectives. Moreover, the study reveals the novel applications of Casson nanofluids in cooling devices and heat sinks.     

Extraction and in vitro antioxidant capacity evaluation of phenolic compounds from pigmented aromatic rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryzae sativa</Emphasis> L.) cultivars

The aroma generating volatile components profile and in vitro antioxidant capacities of different aromatic rice cultivars was determined by GC–MS analysis and in terms of DPPH scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation inhibition, phosphomolybdenum reduction and reducing power assay. The total phenolic content including both free and bound forms in the analyzed aromatic rice cultivars, Mushki budgi (1.62 mg GAE/g), Mushki kandi (1.63 mg GAE/g) and Kamad (1.60 mg GAE/g) were found double the amount as compared to non-aromatic Koshkari (0.86 mg GAE/g) cultivar. The aromatic rice cultivars had also shown higher total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity than non-aromatic rice cultivar (Koshkari). The GC–MS results indicated 21-aromatic compounds present in sufficient quantities in aromatic cultivars and some of them were unique to these cultivars. Among the compounds identified, aldehydes were found in higher quantity followed by alkanes, ketones and esters. Among the aromatic rice cultivars, Mushki budgi and Mushki kandi were found possessing higher quantity of flavoring components such as benzaldehyde, a carcinostatic agent. The cultivars Mushki budgi and Mushki kandi indicated positive correlation of TPC, TFC and the in vitro antioxidant components largely, while the less aromatic Kamad, correlate with only two components viz DPPH and lipid peroxidation.     

Isolation and Characterization of Buffalo Milk Lysozyme

Lysozyme is a commercially valuable enzyme, and is applied in many fields, concerning products such as foods, drugs, and the like. In this work, lysozyme was isolated and purified from buffalo milk using sephadex G-50 and cation exchanger carboxymethyl cellulose. Lysozyme active fractions from buffalo milk were assayed against Gram positive substrate Micrococcus luteus at 450 nm and a decline in absorbance of 0.001 per min was observed. The optimum activity of lysozyme (158.3 ± 1.7 units/mL) was at 7.5 pH and 37°C temperature. Lysozyme activity at pasteurization temperatures 62.5°C, 30 min and 75°C, 15 s were (156.08 ± 1.03 and 156 ± 2 units/mL) not affected significantly; however, 47% activity of lysozyme was reduced at 100°C for 5 min. Antibacterial susceptibility testing of lysozyme (chicken egg white lysozyme and buffalo milk lysozyme) was performed on Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 4698) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25235). Both lysozymes showed no inhibition effect against Escherichia coli.     

Area of influence (AOI) development: fast generation of receptor-oriented sensitivity fields for use in regional air quality modeling

An approach is developed and tested to extend discrete, source-based sensitivity results to provide a complete set of information for source-air quality impacts, including inversion of those results to develop receptor-oriented source-impact sensitivities. First, the decoupled direct sensitivity analysis method in 3D (DDM-3D) is used to calculate a finite number of forward sensitivities from discrete points. These results are then interpolated using tessellation to provide complete fields of forward, emissions-based sensitivities, i.e., how emissions in any one grid cell within the domain impact any other cell. Receptor-oriented sensitivities are then found by inverting the set of forward sensitivities and can be used to identify the area of influence (AOI). This economically provides results similar to what would be found using an adjoint model. The present approach is computationally less intensive than adjoint modeling for a large number of receptors, and provides both source-oriented and receptor-oriented pollutant response fields that can be used for air quality management and health impact analyses. The forward sensitivity interpolation procedure, as well as the receptor-oriented sensitivities, is evaluated using data withholding.     

Wheat Allergy and Intolerence; Recent Updates and Perspectives

The current review paper highlights the complicacies associated with communities relying on wheat as their dietary staple. Although, wheat is an important source of nutrients but is also linked with allergenic responses in genetically susceptible subjects. The wheat proteins especially α-amylase inhibitors, ω-5 gliadins, prolamins, nonprolamin, glucoprotein, and profilins are of significance importance. The allergenic responses are further categorized into IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated reactions. Conjugation and degranulation of the IgEs with the allergens results in release of several mediators. In contrary, non-IgE-mediated wheat allergy depends on immune complexes formed by food and food antibodies and cell-mediated immunity. As results, different diseases tend to occur on the completion of these reactions, i.e., celiac disease, baker's asthma, diarrhea, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria. This instant paper highlighted the concept of food allergy with special reference to wheat. The models are developed that are included in this paper showing the wheat allergen, their possible routes, impact on human health, and indeed possible remedies. The paper would provide the basic information for the researchers, common man, and allied stakeholders to cater the issue in details. However, the issue needs the attention of the researchers as there is a need to clarify the issues of wheat allergy and wheat intolerance.