An evolutionary lion optimization algorithm‐based image compression technique for biomedical applications

Recently, medical image compression becomes essential to effectively handle large amounts of medical data for storage and communication purposes. Vector quantization (VQ) is a popular image compression technique, and the commonly used VQ model is Linde–Buzo–Gray (LBG) that constructs a local optimal codebook to compress images. The codebook construction was considered as an optimization problem, and a bioinspired algorithm was employed to solve it. This article proposed a VQ codebook construction approach called the L2‐LBG method utilizing the Lion optimization algorithm (LOA) and Lempel Ziv Markov chain Algorithm (LZMA). Once LOA constructed the codebook, LZMA was applied to compress the index table and further increase the compression performance of the LOA. A set of experimentation has been carried out using the benchmark medical images, and a comparative analysis was conducted with Cuckoo Search‐based LBG (CS‐LBG), Firefly‐based LBG (FF‐LBG) and JPEG2000. The compression efficiency of the presented model was validated in terms of compression ratio (CR), compression factor (CF), bit rate, and peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR). The proposed L2‐LBG method obtained a higher CR of 0.3425375 and PSNR value of 52.62459 compared to CS‐LBG, FA‐LBG, and JPEG2000 methods. The experimental values revealed that the L2‐LBG process yielded effective compression performance with a better‐quality reconstructed image.     

A new fluoride mediated synthesis of mesoporous silica and their usefulness in controlled delivery of duloxetine hydrochloride a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor

A new type of mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) was synthesized in fluoride media via sol–gel technique using TritonX 100 and Tween-20. The surface area and pore volume of the MSN particles were modified by varying the concentration of Tween-20. The prepared MSN nanoparticles with large surface area and pore volume (T-2, T-3) were selected to accommodate the model drug duloxetine hydrochloride (DX) for evaluation of their drug-loading and release abilities. Calcined and DX loaded nanoparticles were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller technique (BET), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and UV-diffuse reflectance (UV-DRS). In vitro release studies proved that the particle displays an initial burst release followed by sustained release for up to 140 h. From the studies it is evident that the synthesized particle may be useful as a carrier for sustained release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).     

System reduction by Routh approximation and modified Cauer continued fraction

An algorithm is proposed for obtaining stable reduced-order models using Routh stability criterion and matching moments and Markov parameters, via the modified Cauer continued fraction.     

Unsaponifiable matter of green and blue-green algal lipids as a factor of biochemical differentiation of their biomasses: I. Total unsaponifiable and hydrocarbon fraction

As part of a program to study the chemical composition of algal biomasses, the composition of the unsaponifiable matter of the lipids of ten algal species (fiveMyxophyceae and fiveChlorophyceae) was investigated. The total unsaponifiable content, its general composition, and the components of the hydrocarbon fraction are discussed in the present paper. The unsaponifiable content of green algae is constantly higher than that of the blue-green ones, with the exception ofChlorella. In both algal classes, the major components are hydrocarbons and sterols. Blue-green algae are richer in hydrocarbons, whereas the green ones contain higher amounts of sterols. In most of the species examined, at least 48 components are present in the hydrocarbon fraction. Each algal species shows a characteristic gas liquid chromatography pattern, but n-C₁₇ is always one of the most abundant components. Generally, the prokaryotic blue-green algae show a simpler hydrocarbon composition than the eucaryotic green algae, which contain higher amounts of high mol wt components. Unsaturated hydrocarbons are generally present in very limited quantities, with the exception ofSpirulina sp. andChlorella, sp., which contain a C₁₇ alkene. Green algae also contain appreciable amounts of a C₂₇ monoene and of squalene.     

Matrix Cauer form for linear system reduction

An algorithm employing the matrix continued fraction technique is proposed for the reduction of a high-order multiple-input multiple-output system, so as to achieve good approximation for both the transient and steady-state responses. The matrix formulation given here is new, and the method provides an additional tool for linear-system reduction. The procedure is amenable to digital computation.     

Continuous carbon nanotube reinforced composites

Carbon nanotubes are considered short fibers, and polymer composites with nanotube fillers are always analogues of random, short fiber composites. The real structural carbon fiber composites, on the other hand, always contain carbon fiber reinforcements where fibers run continuously through the composite matrix. With the recent optimization in aligned nanotube growth, samples of nanotubes in macroscopic lengths have become available, and this allows the creation of composites that are similar to the continuous fiber composites with individual nanotubes running continuously through the composite body. This allows the proper utilization of the extreme high modulus and strength predicted for nanotubes in structural composites. Here, we fabricate such continuous nanotube polymer composites with continuous nanotube reinforcements and report that under compressive loadings, the nanotube composites can generate more than an order of magnitude improvement in the longitudinal modulus (up to 3,300%) as well as damping capability (up to 2,100%). It is also observed that composites with a random distribution of nanotubes of same length and similar filler fraction provide three times less effective reinforcement in composites.     

In Situ Synthesis of Graphene-Coated Silicon Monoxide Anodes from Coal-Derived Humic Acid for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Silicon monoxide (SiO) is attaining extensive interest amongst silicon-based materials due to its high capacity and long cycle life; however, its low intrinsic electrical conductivity and poor coulombic efficiency strictly limit its commercial applications. Here low-cost coal-derived humic acid is used as a feedstock to synthesize in situ graphene-coated disproportionated SiO (D-SiO@G) anode with a facile method. HR-TEM and XRD confirm the well-coated graphene layers on a SiO surface. Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra analysis indicate that the graphene coating effectively hinders the side-reactions between the electrolyte and SiO particles. As a result, the D-SiO@G anode presents an initial discharge capacity of 1937.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ and an initial coulombic efficiency of 78.2%. High reversible capacity (1023 mAh g⁻¹ at 2.0 A g⁻¹), excellent cycling performance (72.4% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 2.0 A g⁻¹), and rate capability (774 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹) results are substantial. Full coin cells assembled with LiFePO₄ electrodes and D-SiO@G electrodes display impressive rate performance. These results indicate promising potential for practical use in high-performance lithium-ion batteries.     

Testing and qualification of Control & Safety Rod and its drive mechanism of Fast Breeder Reactor

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) has two independent fast acting diverse shutdown systems. The absorber rod of the first system is called Control & Safety Rod (CSR). CSR and its Drive Mechanism (CSRDM) are used for reactor control and for safe shutdown of the reactor by scram action. In view of the safety role, the qualification of CSRDM is one of the important requirements.CSR & CSRDM were qualified in two stages by extensive testing. In the first stage, the critical subassemblies of the mechanism, such as scram release electromagnet, hydraulic dashpot & dynamic seals and CSR subassembly, were tested and qualified individually simulating the operating conditions of the reactor. Experiments were also carried out on sodium vapour deposition in the annular gaps between the stationary and mobile parts of the mechanism.In the second stage, full-scale CSRDM and CSR were subjected to all the integrated functional tests in air, hot argon and subsequently in sodium simulating the operating conditions of the reactor and finally subjected to endurance tests. Since the damage occurring in CSRDM & CSR is mainly due to fatigue cycles during scram actions, the number of test cycles was decided based on the guidelines given in ASME, Section III, Div. 1. The results show that the performance of CSRDM & CSR is satisfactory. Subsequent to the testing in sodium, the assemblies having contact with liquid sodium/sodium vapour were cleaned using CO₂ process and the total cleaning process has been established, so that the mechanism can be reused in sodium. The various stages of qualification programmes have raised the confidence level on the performance of the system as a whole for the intended and reliable operation in the reactor.     

Rotation,electromagnetic field,and variable thermal conductivity effects on free convection flow past an eternity vertical porous plate

The present research may facilitate the reduction of the number of conversion steps required to include the low output voltages in an electrokinetic biomass process. Variable thermal conductivity and electroosmosis flow have already established great potential in the thermo-elastic models of various manufacturing industries and have been widely used in energy technologies. As a result, the current framework investigates the characteristics of natural convection flow with the influence of variable thermal conductivity and electroosmosis over an eternity vertical porous plate. Coriolis forces and Hall current effects are considered in the momentum equations, and also thermal radiation and variable thermal conductivity are taken as energy equations. A linear chemical reaction parameter is used in the concentration equation. The equation of Poisson–Boltzmann is exploited to depict the electric potential characteristics within the accelerated plate medium. The pdepe command in Matlab software is used to figure out the numerical solutions to equations about momentum, energy, and concentration. The expressions of fluid transverse velocity, fluid axial velocity, fluid temperature, and concentration profiles are presented as numerical results and also derived vital relevant stream parameters diagrammatically, whereas the numerical values of primary skin friction, secondary skin friction, and Nusselt number are presented in tabular form for various values of pertinent flow parameters. The temperature rises as the strength of the thermal conductivity variable parameter increases. Also, as the values of the Taylor number and the thermal conductivity variable parameter go up, the primary velocity goes down. Similarly, secondary velocity increases in the opposite direction as the Taylor number and thermal conductivity variable parameter increase.