Content-based image quality metric using similarity measure of moment vectors

In this paper, the similarity of moment vectors between the test and the reference image blocks together with the result from the block classification are used in the formulation of an image quality metric (IQM). First, the reference and the test images are divided into non-overlapping 8×8 blocks and transformed into moment domain using Discrete Tchebichef Transform. The moment features are then used in two operations: the local quality index calculation and the image content (block) classification. The local quality index is obtained from the similarity measure of moment vectors between the reference and the test image blocks. Next, the content of each reference image block is classified into three types: “plain”, “edge” and “texture”, based on its moment energy level and moment energy distribution. The local quality indices obtained from all the image blocks are then averaged based on the block types to obtain three mean quality scores for each test image. The performance of these three mean quality scores and their combinations are studied using the LIVE database. The results show that the performance of the metric is significantly improved by combining the mean quality scores from the edge and texture image region. The best combination (the proposed metric) is then compared with five other IQMs using the LIVE database and four other independent databases. The results show that the proposed metric performs comparatively well for all the databases.     

Experimental investigation on the stability of bride girder against tsunami forces

Bridges are the most useful part in the transportation network. Any disruption of the bridge structures may hamper the whole transportation system. In the last recent tsunamis, numerous number of bridges were structurally damaged by the tsunami waves. Lack of proper provisions of tsunami forces in the design guidelines also contributes to the augmentations of the damage level. Therefore, proper evaluation of the tsunami forces on the bridge girder should be introduced in the design promptly. In this study, laboratory experiments were carried out to reveal the damage mechanism of the bridge girder by assessing the exerted tsunami forces. Both broken and unbroken waves were considered for the analysis. The results showed that measured forces were larger for broken waves than those of unbroken waves. Maximum force of the broken waves was 4.59 times as large as the hydrostatic pressure. Also, waves reached the peak value more rapidly for larger wave heights than those of smaller ones. Additionally, a girder that is placed at a higher position is much vulnerable to tsunami hazard.     

Expert system for open-loop power control of wireless local area networks

This paper considers an embedded fuzzy expert system for non-feedback uplink power control of wireless local area networks (WLANs). The main idea is to minimize the transmission power of the nodes while keeping the transmission errors at an acceptable level. In the developed method, receivers collect signal strength values which are used by the control systems to define an acceptable transmission power level. The functionality of the proposed solution is demonstrated with simulations, which prove that the use of the expert system to open-loop systems can significantly decrease transmission power, increase energy efficiency and decrease interference to adjacent access points and associated nodes.     

Effect of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes on the Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used to prepare natural rubber (NR) nanocomposites. Our first efforts to achieve nanostructures in MWNTs/NR nanocomposites were formed by incorporating carbon nanotubes in a polymer solution and subsequently evaporating the solvent. Using this technique, nanotubes can be dispersed homogeneously in the NR matrix in an attempt to increase the mechanical properties of these nanocomposites. The properties of the nanocomposites such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break and hardness were studied. Mechanical test results show an increase in the initial modulus for up to 12 times in relation to pure NR. In addition to mechanical testing, the dispersion state of the MWNTs into NR studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) in order to understand the morphology of the resulting system     

Power supply - The economies of power quality - Balancing the costs of power protection against the losses that may be suffered is often a difficult problem for power engineers

The subject of power quality embraces a very wide and diverse field of both system and customer problems. There are many requirements for appropriate solutions, from simple power factor corrections of a load to sophisticated load flow control in a high-voltage transmission system. It can be simply defined as the quality of power supplied to the end user. The evaluation of power quality improvement alternatives is an exercise in economics. Utility engineers must evaluate the economic impacts of the power quality variations against the costs of improving performance for the different available alternatives. The best choice will depend on the costs of the solution and its total operating costs. Improving facility performance during power quality variations can result in significant savings and can be a competitive advantage. Therefore, it is important for customers and suppliers to work together in identifying the best alternative for achieving the required level of performance     

A sol-powder coating technique for fabrication of yttria stabilised zirconia

Yttria stabilised zirconia has been prepared using a simple sol-powder coating technique. The polymeric yttria sol, which was prepared using 1,3 propanediol as a network modifier, was homogeneously mixed with nanocrystalline zirconia powder and it showed a dual function: as a binder which promoted densification and a phase modifier which stabilised zirconia in the tetragonal and cubic phases. Thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction revealed that the polymeric yttria sol which decomposed at low temperature into yttrium oxide could change the m → t phase transformation behaviour of the zirconia, possibly due to the small particle size and very high surface area of both yttria and zirconia particles allowing rapid alloying. The sintered samples exhibited three crystalline phases: monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic, in which cubic and tetragonal are the major phases. The weight fractions of the individual phases present in the selected specimens were determined using quantitative Rietveld analysis.     

Nanocrystalline pirochromite spinel through solution combustion synthesis

The production of magnesium–chromium oxides by solution combustion synthesis was investigated using glycine and urea for the first time. Ammonium dichromate, urea/glycine and ammonium nitrate aqueous solutions were used as the precursors of the oxides. The effect of different reaction parameters, such as fuel richness, stoichiometry and fuel leanness was evaluated; such parameters were modified by changing the reagents and the fuel/oxidant ratio. The results suggest that glycine is an interesting complexing/combustible agent for ammonium dichromate to produce chromite spinel. Addition of extra ammonium nitrate to stoichiometric compositions improved the specific surface area and reduced the crystallite size. The highest specific surface area (153.40 m²/g) was obtained for the stoichiometric fuel/oxidant mixtures containing glycine as combustible in combination with ammonium nitrate; however, the smallest crystallite size (approximately 9 nm) of Pirochromite (MgCr₂O₄) was synthesized using urea as combustible.     

Microwave-induced combustion synthesis and electrical conductivity of Ce1−xGdxO2−1/2x ceramics

Ce_1−xGd_xO_2−1/2x nanopowder were successfully synthesized by microwave-induced combustion process. For the preparation, cerium nitrate, gadolinium nitrate hexahydrate, and urea were used for the microwave-induced combustion process. The process took only 30 min to obtain Ce_1−xGd_xO_2−1/2x powders. The exo-endo temperature, phase identification, and morphology of resultant powders were investigated by TG/DTA, XRD, and SEM. The as-received Ce_1−xGd_xO_2−1/2x powders showed that the average particle size ranged from 18 to 50 nm, crystallite dimension varied from 11 to 20 nm, and the specific surface area was distribution from 16 to 46 m²/g. As for Ce_1−xGd_xO_2−1/2x ceramics sintered at 1450 °C for 3 h, the bulk density of Ce_1−xGd_xO_2−1/2x ceramics were over 91% of the theoretical density, the maximum electrical conductivity, σ_700 °C = 0.017 S/cm with minimum activation energy, E_a = 0.869 eV was found at Ce_0.80Gd_0.20O_1.90 ceramic.     

Die attach properties of Zn–Al–Mg–Ga based high-temperature lead-free solder on Cu lead-frame

Several candidate alloys have been suggested as high-temperature lead-free solder for Si die attachment by different researchers. Among them, Zn–Al based alloys have proper melting range and excellent thermal/electrical properties. In this study, Zn–Al–Mg–Ga solder wire was used to attach Ti/Ni/Ag metallized Si die on Cu lead-frame in an automatic die attach machine. Die attachment was performed in a forming gas environment at temperature ranging from 370 to 400 °C. At the interface with Cu lead-frame, CuZn₄, Cu₅Zn₈ and CuZn intermetallic compound (IMC) layers were formed. At the interface with Si, Al₃Ni₂ IMC formed when 200 nm Ag layer was used at the die back and AgZn and AgZn₃ IMC layers when the Ag layer was 2,000 nm thick. Microstructure of the bulk solder consists of mainly two phases: one with a brighter contrast (about 80.9 wt% Zn) and the other one is a mixture of light (about 73.7 wt% Zn) and dark phases (about 45 wt% Al). Zn–Al–Mg–Ga solder wetted well on Cu lead-frame, covered entire die area and flowed in all directions under the Si die. Less than 10% voids were found in the die attach samples at die attach temperatures of 380 and 390 °C. Die shear strength was found within the acceptable limit (21.8–29.4 MPa) for all the die attach temperatures. Die shear strength of standard Pb–Sn solder was also measured for comparison and was found to be 29.3 MPa. In electrical test, maximum deviation of output voltage after 1,000 thermal cycles was found 12.1%.     

Dew point pressure model for gas condensate reservoirs based on multi-gene genetic programming approach

One of the most critical parameters in characterization of gas condensate reservoirs is dew point pressure (DPP), and its accurate determination is a challenging task in development and management of these reservoirs. Experimental measurement of DPP is a costly and time consuming method. Therefore, searching for a quick, reliable, inexpensive, and robust algorithm for determination of DPP is of great importance. In this paper, first, a new approach based on multi-gene genetic programming (MGGP) to determine DPP of gas condensate reservoirs is presented. Then, a correlation for DPP calculation using MGGP has been developed for gas condensate reservoirs. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed DPP model has been validated by comparing its predictions with the results of other conventional models. It is found that the correlation developed in this work is capable of predicting more accurate values of DPP, with the lowest average relative and absolute errors with respect to the experimental results, and also higher correlation coefficient among the results of all the evaluated DPP correlations. Therefore, it is suggested that the proposed model can be applied effectively for DPP prediction for a wide range of gas properties and reservoir temperatures.