An efficient approach for face recognition based on common eigenvalues

In this paper, a simple technique is proposed for face recognition among many human faces. It is based on the polynomial coefficients, covariance matrix and algorithm on common eigenvalues. The main advantage of the proposed approach is that the identification of similarity between human faces is carried out without computing actual eigenvalues and eigenvectors. A symmetric matrix is calculated using the polynomial coefficients-based companion matrices of two compared images. The nullity of a calculated symmetric matrix is used as similarity measure for face recognition. The value of nullity is very small for dissimilar images and distinctly large for similar face images. The feasibility of the propose approach is demonstrated on three face databases, i.e., the ORL database, the Yale database B and the FERET database. Experimental results have shown the effectiveness of the proposed approach for feature extraction and classification of the face images having large variation in pose and illumination.     

Evaluation of reservoir sedimentation using data driven techniques

The sedimentation is a pervasive complex hydrological process subjected to each and every reservoir in world at different extent. Hydrographic surveys are considered as most accurate method to determine the total volume occupied by sediment and its distribution pattern in a reservoir. But, these surveys are very cumbersome, time consuming and expensive. This complex sedimentation process can also be simulated through the well calibrated numerical models. However, these models generally are data extensive and require large computational time. Generally, the availability of such data is very scarce. Due to large constraints of these methods and models, in the present study, data driven approaches such as artificial neural networks (ANN), model trees (MT) and genetic programming (GP) have been investigated for the estimation of volume of sediment deposition incorporating the parameters influenced it along with conventional multiple linear regression data driven model. The aforementioned data driven models for the estimation of reservoir sediment deposition were initially developed and applied on Gobindsagar Reservoir. In order to generalise the developed methodology, the developed data driven models were also validated for unseen data of Pong Reservoir. The study depicted that the highly nonlinear models ANN and GP captured the trend of sediment deposition better than piecewise linear MT model, even for smaller length datasets.     

Homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation ofo-chloroacetophenone to enantiomerically pureo-chloro-(1-phenyl)ethanol catalyzed by BINAP-Ru(II) complex

The BINAP-Ru(II) catalyst (2,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1-binaphthyl)chloro(p-cymene)rutheniun chloride is found to be highly active and enantioselective for homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of o-chloroacetophenone to optically pureo-chloro-(1-phenyl)ethanol. In contrast to results of Noyori and coworkers, no organic and inorganic bases are required to obtain high activities and enantioselectivities     

Multi‐band pattern reconfigurable Yagi‐Uda antenna

In this study, novel designs of single‐band and tri‐band pattern reconfigurable antennas are proposed. The design of single‐band pattern reconfigurable antenna is accomplished by the use of varactor diodes with the parasitic elements placed on both sides of the driven conventional printed dipole antenna. By tuning the capacitance of varactor, the antenna operates in four different configurations of radiation pattern which include bi‐directional end‐fire, broadside, and uni‐directional end‐fire radiation patterns. The tri‐band pattern reconfigurable antenna design is achieved by the use of parasitic elements on both sides of a tri‐band driven dipole antenna. Dual‐band LC resonators are used as loading elements along the arms of printed dipole to get two lower order modes in addition to the reference dipole mode, resulting in a triband operation of the driven element. The electrical lengths of the parasitic elements with respect to the tri‐band driven element are controlled by suitably embedding varactor and PIN diodes with them. The proposed tri‐band antenna operates in ten different configurations of radiation patterns in the three operating bands. Fully functional prototypes of single‐band and tri‐band pattern reconfigurable antennas along with the DC bias networks have been fabricated to validate the results obtained in simulation.     

Preservation of strawberries by modified atmosphere packages with other treatments

The impact of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), in combination with ozone treatment and an edible film coating, on the preservation of strawberries was studied. A combination of 2.5% O₂ with 15% CO₂ was the optimum gas composition for the MAP of strawberries and prolonged shelf‐life by 4–6 days. When the strawberries were pre‐treated with a 4.3 mg/m³ ozone water dip and an edible coating prior to packaging, the shelf‐life was extended to 8–10 days. The results showed that two treatments [No.1: polyvinyl alcohol 134 (2%); monostearatacylglycerol (0.5%); phytic acid (0.05%); sorbitol (0.05%); sodium alginate (0.1%); absolute alcohol (8%): No.2: polyvinyl alcohol 134(1%); soluble starch (1%); glucose (1%); sucrose (1%); sodium alginate (0.1%); sorbitol (0.05%)] gave the best effects on strawberry quality and shelf‐life. All treatments (Nos 1–4) were obviously superior to check experiments for soluble sugar, ascorbic acid, acidity and anthocyanin. Furthermore, the treatments gave superior results for browning index, commodity ratio and permeability of the cell membrane. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of temperature and α-irradiation on gas permeability for polymeric membrane

In the present study the polyethersulphone (PES) membranes of thickness (35 ±2) μm were prepared by solution cast method. The permeability of these membranes was calculated by varying the temperature and by irradiation of α ions. For the variation of temperature, the gas permeation cell was dipped in a constant temperature water bath in the temperature range from 303–373 K, which is well below the glass transition temperature (498 K). The permeability of H₂ and CO₂ increased with increasing temperature. The PES membrane was exposed by a-source (₉₅Am₂₄₁) of strength (1 μ Ci) in vacuum of the order of 10⁻⁶ torr, with fluence 2.7 × 10⁷ ions/cm². The permeability of H₂ and CO₂ has been observed for irradiated membrane with increasing etching time. The permeability increases with increasing etching time for both gases. There was a sudden change in permeability for both the gases when observed at 18 min etching. At this stage the tracks are visible with optical instrument, which confirms that the pores are generated. Most of pores seen in the micrograph are circular cross-section ones.     

Effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers on permeation of S-amlodipine besylate through intercalated polymeric transdermal matrix: 3(2) designing,optimization and characterization

Objective: Innovation in material science has made it possible to fabricate a pharmaceutical material of modifiable characteristics and utility, in delivering therapeutics at a sustained/controlled rate. The objective of this study is to design and optimize the controlled release transdermal films of S-Amlodipine besylate by intercalating hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers.

Methods: 3(2) factorial design and response surface methodology was utilized to prepare formulations by intercalating the varied concentration of polymers(A) and penetration enhancer(B) in solvent. The effect of these independent factors on drug release and flux was investigated to substantiate the ex-vivo, stability and histological findings of the study.

Results: FTIR, DSC revealed the compatibility of drug with polymers; however, the semicrystallinity in drug was observed under PXRD. SEM micrographs showed homogeneous dispersion and entanglement of drug throughout the matrix. Results from the permeation study suggested the significant effect of factors on the ex vivo permeation of drug. It was observed that drug release was found to be increased with an increase in hydrophilic polymer concentration and PE. The formulations having polymers (EC:PVPK-30) at 7:3 showed maximum drug release with highest flux (102.60?±?1.12?µg/cm²/h) and permeability coefficient (32.78?±?1.38?cm/h). Significant effect of PE on lipid and protein framework of the skin was also observed which is responsible for increased permeation. The optimized formulation was found to be stable and showed no-sign of localized reactions, indicating safety and compatibility with the skin.

Conclusion: Thus, results indicated that the prepared intercalated transdermal matrix can be a promising nonoral carrier to deliver effective amounts of drug.     

White graphene based composite proton exchange membrane: Improved durability and proton conductivity

Boron nitride, which is also known as “white graphene” may be an attractive filler for composite proton exchange membrane. Application of polymer electrolyte membranes in fuel cell as an electrolyte is gaining attention due to the requirement of clean energy. However, despite its attractive features it requires more consideration for complete commercialization. Herein we demonstrate the preparation of novel functionalized WHITE GRAPHENE (hexagonal boron nitride) and sulfonated poly ether sulfone (SPES) based polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM). Composite membranes have been characterized through thermal, mechanical, structural analysis. Membranes have been subjected to measure methanol permeability and proton conductivity at different temperatures for its use in DMFC. Composite membranes exhibit good physicochemical properties as well as high methanol crossover resistance. 0.5 wt % of FBN (SP-FBN-05) membrane is found to be adequate to get the better performance in DMFC.     

TiO2 nanoparticle embedded nitrogen doped electrospun helical carbon nanofiber-carbon nanotube hybrid anode for lithium-ion batteries

TiO₂ nanoparticles decorated nitrogen (N) doped helical carbon nanofiber (CNF)-carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid material is prepared by low-cost electrospinning technique followed by hydrothermal method. Morphological investigations establish helical structure of CNFs with hierarchical growth of CNTs around CNFs. The hybrid material shows a high specific surface area of 295.17 m² g^?1 with nanoporous structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies establish Ti–O–C/Ti–C bond mediated charge transfer channel between TiO₂ nanoparticles and carbon structures with the success of N doping in CNFs. The electrospun hybrid material delivered high reversible charge capacities of 316 mAh g^?1 (100th cycle) and 244 mAh g^?1 (100th cycle) at a current density of 75 mA g^?1 and 186 mA g^?1 respectively. The charge capacities obtained for different applied current densities are higher than the conventional graphitic microporous microbeads anode. Results indicate that the hybrid material reported here shows high performance compare to graphite for LIBs.