SIFER: Scale-Invariant Feature Detector with Error Resilience

We present a new method to extract scale-invariant features from an image by using a Cosine Modulated Gaussian (CM-Gaussian) filter. Its balanced scale-space atom with minimal spread in scale and space leads to an outstanding scale-invariant feature detection quality, albeit at reduced planar rotational invariance. Both sharp and distributed features like corners and blobs are reliably detected, irrespective of various image artifacts and camera parameter variations, except for planar rotation. The CM-Gaussian filters are approximated with the sum of exponentials as a single, fixed-length filter and equal approximation error over all scales, providing constant-time, low-cost image filtering implementations. The approximation error of the corresponding digital signal processing is below the noise threshold. It is scalable with the filter order, providing many quality-complexity trade-off working points. We validate the efficiency of the proposed feature detection algorithm on image registration applications over a wide range of testbench conditions.     

Genetic neural-based modeling of AC resistance of heating coil used for high-frequency inverter-fed induction cooker

The present paper deals with modeling of AC resistance of twisted litz wires used for high-frequency inverter-fed induction cooker. Several traditional approaches are available, most of which have concentrated in deriving the analytical relationships between the AC resistances with the parameters of the wire. However, it is very difficult to get the exact relationship, due to several reasons. An attempt is made in this paper to model the AC resistance using a three-layered feed-forward Neural Network. For this purpose, four inputs (wire type, number of strand, number of spiral turn and operating frequency) and one output as AC resistance have been considered. Since the performance of Neural Network alone might not be optimal; it is optimized using a binary-coded Genetic Algorithm. Performances of the proposed approach were compared with the method of AC resistance computation proposed by Ferreira. Genetic-neural system has given a very close accuracy, and the computational complexity was found to be very low. Thus, it is suitable for online implementations.     

Contribution of shrimp disease research to the development of the shrimp aquaculture industry: an analysis of the research and innovation structure across the countries

Shrimp aquaculture constitutes a major economic activity of some middle- and low-level economies in the world. Though it is practiced by around 70 countries, it is primarily dominated by China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Ecuador and India. These six countries account for 80 % of the global shrimp production. The study has highlighted the role of research in the development of the industry by taking the examples of Penaeus vannamei and P. monodon. In case of the former, a seven time rise in quantum of research (studied by the number of publications as a proxy) could induce five time increase in production, whereas, in the latter case similar pattern was not noticed. The study has observed that based on shrimp production and research contribution; the major 30 countries associated with shrimp aquaculture could be categorized as: (i) high production, high-research contribution, (ii) low production, high-research contribution and (iii) high production, low-research contribution. The countries under the third category are at great risk and may suffer huge economic losses in the event of outbreak of any disease. By generating network map of research linkage across different countries the study has highlighted the potential countries for strengthening the existing linkage and fostering new linkage for knowledge consolidation. The study has given some suggestion for policy formulation for achieving a rapid growth of shrimp aquaculture in the world.     

Development of an Online Heat Index Measurement System for Thermal Comfort Determination

This paper presents the development of a reliable heat index (HI) measurement system for evaluating the thermal comfort of a particular building or a particular area. The HI is an index that combines air temperature and relative humidity (RH) to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature. To measure the air temperature and RH, temperature to digital converter and RH to voltage converter is used. HI is calculated online with the help of embedded firmware of the microcontroller. This calculated value is then transferred to the computer through standard RS 232 serial port. The same sensor node is tested with the RS 485 network standard by changing the transceiver of the node. The system is calibrated using four standard saturated binary salt solutions.     

Time‐dependent dosing of Fe2+ for improved lipopeptide production by marine Bacillus megaterium

BACKGROUND: Lipopeptide production is strongly influenced by trace metals. The availability of free Fe²⁺ in the media throughout the process of fermentation was found to be very critical. Since free Fe²⁺ was reported to be sequestered by the lipopeptide as it was produced, intermittent feeding of Fe²⁺ was strategized and optimized for enhanced lipopeptide production by marine Bacillus megaterium in glucose mineral salts medium (GMSM). RESULTS: Studies with the single‐dose Fe²⁺ (0.48 mmol L^?1) supplementation after 8 h of fermentation resulted in lipopeptide concentration of 3.3 ± 0.1 g L^?1. Lipopeptide production was further enhanced to 4.2 ± 0.15 g L^?1 by adopting a multi‐dose Fe²⁺ feeding strategy. The maximum product yield (Y_P/S) of 0.24 ± 0.02 g g^?1 with specific product formation rate (q_p) of 0.124 ± 0.01 g g^?1 h^?1 was achieved when 0.48 mmol L^?1 Fe²⁺ was fed intermittently at different times as per the designed strategy. CONCLUSION: Lipopeptide concentration was improved 4.7‐fold by single‐dosing and 5.8‐fold by multiple dosing of Fe²⁺, when compared with GMSM without Fe²⁺ supplementation. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Water-wave scattering by two symmetric circular-arc-shaped thin plates

The problem of surface water-wave scattering by two symmetric circular-arc-shaped thin plates submerged in deep water is investigated in this paper assuming linear theory. The problem is formulated in terms of hypersingular integral equations which are solved approximately using finite series involving Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. The coefficients of the finite series are obtained numerically by a collocation method. Very accurate numerical estimates for the reflection and the transmission coefficients are then obtained. The numerical results are depicted graphically against the wave number for different arc lengths of the plates, the depth of their submergence and the separation length. Known results for a circular cylinder and horizontal straight plate are recovered.     

Sulphated polysaccharides from Indian samples of Enteromorpha compressa (Ulvales,Chlorophyta): Isolation and structural features

Heteroglycan and xyloglucan rich fractions were extracted from Indian samples of Enteromorpha compressa in 25% yield by sequential extractions with water and alkali. This heteroglycan is sulfated and has an apparent molecular mass of 55 kDa. Chemical structural analysis of this polysaccharide revealed a branched structure having 1,4- and 1,2,4-linked rhamnose 3-sulphate, 1,4-linked glucose, 1,3- and 1,6- linked galactose, 1,4- and terminally linked glucuronic acid and 1,4-linked xylose partially sulfated on O-2. Chemical and spectroscopic analysis showed that the 4-M KOH extracted hemicellulosic fraction contained an unusual β-(1,4)-linked linear xyloglucan. Enzyme hydrolysis and analysis of the resulting fragments by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) showed that this linear polymer contained partially sulfated Glc₃Xyl₂ or Glc₄Xyl₂ as oligomeric building subunits.     

An accurate technique of measurement of a transducer output by using a modified two core saturable reactor

Saturable reactor or transductor used as a magnetic modulator or amplifier for the measurement of the small value DC output signal of a transducer may suffer from error due to the fact that a part of the current drawn from the transducer by the transductor unit is utilized to magnetize the core material. In this paper a modified two core saturable reactor circuit has been proposed to eliminate this error. This unit also minimizes some other errors like common mode error, material error, etc. Theory of operation and design of the circuit has been explained in this paper. The circuit has been tested by using a millivolt input signal as well as a thermocouple to measure temperature. The experimental results are presented in this paper. Linear static characteristic graphs have been observed.     

Protein‐based bioplastics and their antibacterial potential

The use of conventional petroleum‐based plastics in many applications poses the risk of contamination, potentially causing infection when used in medical applications, and contamination when used in food packaging. Nontraditional materials such as protein are being examined for their potential use in the production of bioplastics for applications that require uncontaminated materials. The proteins of albumin, soy, and whey provide possible sources of raw material for bioplastic production, as they have already been utilized in the area of edible films and low‐stress applications. We conducted this study to investigate the thermal, viscoelastic, and antibacterial properties of the albumin, soy, and whey bioplastics with the use of three plasticizers—water, glycerol, and natural rubber latex (NRL). Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli were utilized as Gram (+) and Gram (?) species, respectively, for antimicrobial analysis. Albumin and whey bioplastics exhibited similar thermal and viscoelastic properties, whereas soy bioplastics had varied viscoelastic properties based on the plasticizer used. In terms of antibacterial activity, the albumin–glycerol and whey–glycerol were the best bioplastics, as no bacterial growth was observed on the plastics after 24 h of inoculation. In terms of the future impact of this research, the aim will be to scale up production of the bioplastics for use in food packaging as well as biomedical applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41931.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Ferrocenylquinoline as a Potential Antileishmanial Agent

The emergence of resistance against antileishmanial drugs in current use necessitates the search for new classes of antileishmanial compounds. Herein we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel ferrocenylquinoline for activity against Leishmania donovani. 7‐Chloro‐N‐[2‐(1H‐5‐ferrocenyl‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)ethyl]quinolin‐4‐amine ( 1 ) was generated by coupling an iron(II) ethynylferrocene species with 4‐(2‐ethylazido)amino‐7‐chloroquinoline using click chemistry. The synthesized compound 1 was tested for its antileishmanial activity using both promastigote and amastigote stages of L. donovani. Compound 1 showed promising anti‐promastigote activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 15.26 μM and no cytotoxicity toward host splenocytes. From the battery of tests conducted in this study, it appears that this compound induces parasite death by promoting oxidative stress and depolarizing the mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby triggering apoptosis. These results suggest that ferrocenylquinoline 1 is a suitable lead for the development of new antileishmanial drugs.