Blood vessel segmentation and extraction using H-minima method based on image processing techniques

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In this paper, the H-minima transform is used for blood vessel segmentation. The aim of this study is to get the high accuracy of blood vessel segmentation in...     

Implementation of an LVQ neural network with a variable size: algorithmic specification, architectural exploration and optimized implementation on FPGA devices

This paper presents an optimizing methodology for the implementation of a Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) neural network in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device. Starting from an algorithmic specification in the form of a Factorized and Conditioned Data Dependence Graph (GFCDD), we suggest a design methodology of the LVQ-dedicated architecture. This formal methodology is called AAA, “Algorithm Architecture Adequation”. Using graph transformations, it allows the generation of an optimized circuit implementation at the Register Transfer Level (RTL). It is associated to the SynDEx-IC software tool. Based on this formal methodology, we are able to explore and generate various LVQ network implementations by varying the LVQ sizes while minimizing the hardware resources and the design time. In addition, real-time constraints should be respected to ensure a reliable classification of vigilance states in humans from electroencephalographic signals (EEG). To validate our approach, the optimized LVQ implementation was tried on two types of Virtex devices.     

On robust control of a class of nonlinear mechanical systems with parametric uncertainty

This article presents a method to design a robust controller for a class of nonlinear mechanical systems. The parameters of the system are assumed uncertain in the sense that they are known only within intervals of known lower and upper limits. The method involves using Kharitonov stability theory of interval polynomials to design a robust stabilising controller for the considered class of systems. To formulate the interval parameter problem in joint space, the dynamic equation, which is derived in Cartesian space for parallel kinematic machines, is transformed to joint space using the Jacobian matrix and its time derivative. The nonlinear joint space model is linearised yielding an interval linear model and a robust controller with interval parameter gains is then found. A simulation study on a dynamic model of Stewart platform based parallel kinematics machine demonstrates the design procedure and shows its effectiveness.     

Adaptive practical output tracking control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems

This paper investigates the problem of adaptive practical tracking control by output feedback for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems without zero dynamics. The uncertain nonlinear perturbed terms of the considered systems are assumed to satisfy a generalised condition which is more relaxed than the triangular-type condition. Furthermore, in contrast to the previous work in the literature, the upper bound of the nonlinearities is a polynomial function of the output, with an unknown growth rate, multiplied by some relaxed conditions of unmeasured states. Due to the presence of unknown parametric uncertainty, a dynamic output compensator with dynamically updated gains is explicitly constructed based on non-separation principle. In particular, we show that for any positive number γ, all the states of the closed-loop systems are globally bounded and the tracking error belongs to the interval [?γ, γ] after some positive finite time. A numerical example illustrates the efficiency of the method.     

Influence of heat treatment conditions on the mechanical properties of Ti–6Al–4V alloy

In the current work, several heat treatments were carried out below and above the beta-transition temperature of the Ti–6Al–4V alloy followed by aging at 550 °C for 6 hours. The resultant microstructures and their effects on the mechanical properties of Ti–6Al–4V alloy were investigated. The results showed that solution treatment of Ti–6Al–4V samples followed by water quenching from β and α/β fields raised the alloy hardness from 380 to 575 and 656?HV, respectively, while no remarkable changes were observed after aging. The hot tensile strength of the as-forged sample increased from 671 to 756?MPa after water quenching from the ß- or α/ß- field, while the air cooling from β-phase field decreased the tensile strength to 644 MPa. The fracture mode of the tensile samples was more ductile in case of the solution-treated samples compared to the as-forged samples. A subsurface layer was formed due to the diffusion of oxygen into the surface at high temperatures. This layer which is known as ‘oxygen diffusion layer’ masked the differences of wear behaviour of the specimens.     

Effect of copper slag as a fine aggregate on the properties of cement mortars and concrete

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effect of using copper slag as a fine aggregate on the properties of cement mortars and concrete. Various mortar and concrete mixtures were prepared with different proportions of copper slag ranging from 0% (for the control mixture) to 100% as fine aggregates replacement. Cement mortar mixtures were evaluated for compressive strength, whereas concrete mixtures were evaluated for workability, density, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength and durability. The results obtained for cement mortars revealed that all mixtures with different copper slag proportions yielded comparable or higher compressive strength than that of the control mixture. Also, there was more than 70% improvement in the compressive strength of mortars with 50% copper slag substitution in comparison with the control mixture. The results obtained for concrete indicated that there is a slight increase in density of nearly 5% as copper slag content increases, whereas the workability increased significantly as copper slag percentage increased compared with the control mixture. A substitution of up to 40–50% copper slag as a sand replacement yielded comparable strength to that of the control mixture. However, addition of more copper slag resulted in strength reduction due to the increase in the free water content in the mix. Also, the results demonstrated that surface water absorption decreased as copper slag content increases up to 50% replacement. Beyond that, the absorption rate increased rapidly and the percentage volume of the permeable voids was comparable to the control mixture. Therefore, it is recommended that up to 40–50% (by weight of sand) of copper slag can be used as a replacement for fine aggregates in order to obtain a concrete with good strength and durability requirements.     

Microbiological quality of fruit juices sold in Tripoli–Libya

Fruit juices are becoming an important part of the modern diet in many communities. Data regarding the microbiological quality of foods, particularly fruit juices, sold in Libya and the neighboring North African countries are few if not lacking. Using standard microbiological procedures, 146 fruit juice samples sold in Tripoli were examined. Total bacterial counts (TBC) of samples examined ranged between <1 and 3 × 10⁵ CFU/ml (mean = 5 × 10⁴). Almond juice showed the highest TBC ranging between 1.8 × 10³ and 3 × 10⁵ (mean = 1.7 × 10⁵). Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 8 (5.5%) samples, Streptococcus spp. in 4 (2.7%), coliforms in 33 (22.6%), Escherichia coli (none were of serogroup O157) in 3 (2.1%), Klebsiella pneumonia in 17 (11.6%), Aeromonas spp. in 3 (2.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 6 (4.1%), Candida albicans in 18 (12.3%), Candida spp. in 109 (74.7%) and other yeasts in 85 (58.2%). Many of these organisms can cause disease in humans, which indicates that a large number of juices tested did not fulfill the Libyan guidelines for the microbiological quality of juices. Application of the HACCP system should be introduced into the food industry sector to improve the quality of fruit juices and other foods manufactured in Libya.     

THERMODYNAMICS OF COBALT(II) EXTRACTION BYTHENOYLTRIFLOUROACETONE AND DIBENZO-18-CROWN-6 IN NITROBENZENE-TOLUENE MIXTURES

Cobalt (II) was extracted by thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) and its mixture with dibenzo-18-crown-6(Dbl8C6) at different temperatures in nitrobenzene (Nb); toluene (Tol) or their mixtures, from perchlorate aqueous media of constant ionic strength (o.l;H⁺,NaClO₄) buffered with acetic acid-sodium acetate solutions. Slop analysis of the experimental results indicated that the stoichiometry of the chelate and the adduct extracted are Co(TTA)₂and Co(TTA)₂?Dbl8C6, under all the experimental conditions investigated. The extraction constants of the chelate (k₂o)’ tne mixed species (k_2land the formation constant of the adduct ( B_2lwere evaluated for the different diluents used at the different temperatures. It was found that log k_2oand log_2lincrease by increasing the dielectric constant (€ ) of the diluent whereby log B_2ldecreases by increasing €. These results were expressed in terms of linear free energy relationships. From the effect of the temperature on the different constants evaluated; the thermodynamic constants of the systems were calculated and discussed in terms of the nonspecific effect of the diluents used and the dehydration of the extracted chelate to form the adduct.     

CFD assessment of intake fraction in the indoor environment

In this paper we use a validated CFD model to calculate the inhalation exposure, expressed as an intake fraction (iF), of a seated person in an office with different contaminant sources, a floor diffuser, and a ceiling vent. These sources include the floor, the walls, a desk, and the human body. First, experimental data is used to determine the correct turbulent Schmidt number for the computational model to predict the transport of the species in an indoor environment. It was found at a turbulent Schmidt number of ∼0.9 produced the best fit when compared to experimental data. Then, the iF was calculated for two representations of the computer simulated person (CSP): a CSP with detailed surface geometry, and a simplified CSP with multi-block geometry. It was found that the simplified multi-block geometry is not adequate for predicting iF because it radically changes the flowfield of the thermal plume in the breathing zone (BZ). Next, the effect of personal ventilation systems on iF was investigated. The results show that such systems can reduce the iF by an order of magnitude compared with conventional mixing and displacement ventilation systems. Finally, a comparison of iF results were made for a surface body temperature of 32 °C and 28 °C. It was found that a 4 °C change in body surface temperature influenced the iF by less than 10%.