Deep transfer modeling for classification of Maize Plant Leaf Disease

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Currently, Deep Learning is playing an influential role for Image analysis and object classification. Maize’s diseases reduce production that subsequently...     

Identifying crop water stress using deep learning models

Neural Computing and Applications - The identification of water stress is a major challenge for timely and effective irrigation to ensure global food security and sustainable agriculture. Several...     

Large Area Self-Assembled Ultrathin Polyimine Nanofilms Formed at the Liquid–Liquid Interface Used for Molecular Separation

Separation membranes with higher molecular weight cut-offs are needed to separate ions and small molecules from a mixed feed. The molecular sieving phenomenon can be utilized to separate smaller species with well-defined dimensions from a mixture. Here, the formation of freestanding polyimine nanofilms with thicknesses down to ≈14 nm synthesized via self-assembly of pre-synthesized imine oligomers is reported. Nanofilms are fabricated at the water–xylene interface followed by reversible condensation of polymerization according to the Pieranski theory. Polyimine nanofilm composite membranes are made via transferring the freestanding nanofilm onto ultrafiltration supports. High water permeance of 49.5 L m^-2 h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ is achieved with a complete rejection of brilliant blue-R (BBR; molecular weight = 825 g mol⁻¹) and no more than 10% rejection of monovalent and divalent salts. However, for a mixed feed of BBR dye and monovalent salt, the salt rejection is increased to ≈18%. Membranes are also capable of separating small dyes (e.g., methyl orange; MO; molecular weight = 327 g mol⁻¹) from a mixed feed of BBR and MO. Considering a thickness of ≈14 nm and its separation efficiency, the present membrane has significance in separation processes.     

A novel compact circuit for 4-PAM energy-efficient high speed interconnect data transmission and reception

Transmission of signals, whether on-chip or off-chip, places severe constraints on timing and extracts a large price in energy. New silicon device technologies, such as back-plane CMOS, provide a programmable and adaptable threshold voltage as an additional tool that can be used for low power design. We show that one particularly desirable use of this freedom is energy-efficient high-speed transmission across long interconnects using multi-valued encoding. Our multi-valued CMOS circuits take advantage of the threshold voltage control of the transistors, by using the signal-voltage-to-threshold-voltage span, in order to make area-efficient implementations of 4-PAM (pulse amplitude modulation) transceivers operating at high speed. In a comparison of a variety of published technologies, for signal transmission with interconnects of 10-15 mm length, we show up to 50% improvement in energy for on-chip signal transmission over binary encoding together with higher limits for operating speeds without a penalty in circuit noise margin.     

Critical slowing down in lead magnesium niobate–zirconate ceramic

Dielectric relaxation behaviour of (1 − x)PMN − xPZ, for x = 0.10, 0.30 and 0.40 have been studied. The nature of relaxational behaviour was found to change with PZ concentration. A crossover from a static freezing to critical slowing down like behaviour is observed with increase in Zr⁴⁺ concentration. We have used Glazounov and Tangastev criterion to distinguish freezing and critical slowing down like behaviour.     

Lean philosophy: implementation in a forging company

This research addresses the implementation of lean philosophy in a forging company with a focus on radial forging production flow lines. Here, the prime motive is to evolve and test several strategies to eliminate waste on the shop floor. In this research, a systematic approach is suggested for the implementation of lean principles. This paper describes an application of value stream mapping (VSM). Consequently, the present and future states of value stream maps are constructed to improve the production process by identifying waste and its sources. Furthermore, Taguchi’s method of design of experiments is pursued here to minimize the forging defects produced due to imperfect operating conditions. A noticeable reduction in set-up time and work-in-process (WIP) inventory level is substantiated. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of managerial implications and the future scope of research.     

Solution-Processed n-Type Organic Field-Effect Transistors With High on /off Current Ratios Based on Fullerene Derivatives

Solution-processed n-type organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) based on the fullerene derivative {6}-1-(3-(2- thienylethoxycarbonyl)-propyl)-{5}-l-phenyl-[5,6]-C61 (TEPP) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in a multiring source/drain structure are reported. Devices with TEPP show high electron mobility up to 7.8 x 10^-2 cm²/Vs in the saturation regime for bottom-contact OFETs with Au S/D electrodes with a solution-processed fullerene derivative. The ON/OFF ratios reported in this letter, which are in the range of 10⁵ -10⁶, are among the highest values reported for such devices. This mobility is always higher compared to PCBM devices prepared in identical conditions. The mobility of TEPP and PCBM increased with increasing temperatures in the range of 100-300 K with activation energy of 78 and 113 meV, respectively, which suggests that the thermally activated hopping of electrons is dominant in TEPP.     

A unique method for reducing losses of bends in dielectric optical wave guide

The dielectric optical wave guide is finding growing attention at millimeter wave frequencies. However the dielectric optical waveguide radiates at bends and thus transmission loss increases. These radiations are in the outword direction of bends. This output radiation at output bends arises due to change in phase velocities of the propagating wave at the centre of the dielectric guide and the phase velocity at the outer surface of the dielectric guide. A unique methiod is suggested to avoid these radiation losses.Experimental results are also shown at microwave frequencies.     

Countercurrent water-heating system with a heat exchanger in a solar energy collector loop

The counter current heat exchanger theory with periodic inlet temperatures has been applied to analyze the thermal performance of a water heating system. The theoretical results obtained are in agreement with the experimental data reported in the literature.     

Variation of wave impedance of shielded suspended dielectric guide

A shielded suspended dielectric guide is a dielectric rectangular slab enclosed by regular metallic side walls from all the sides. This type of structure is used in dual mode phase shifter where the size of the normal rectangular wave guide is reduced at the ends, where a dielectric material is embeded in ferrite core. Hence impedance variation of a phase shifter at its transition may be easily calculated using shielded suspended dielectric guide which is a prime parameter for optimum efficiency of wave launching.