Single image super resolution based on sparse representation using discrete wavelet transform

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Single image super resolution (SR) based on sparse representation is a promising technique where the SR problem is solved by searching for the most robust...     

Random forest-based tuberculosis bacteria classification in images of ZN-stained sputum smear samples

In this paper, we present a robust hybrid watermarking method applied to color images for authentication, which presents robustness against several distortions. Due to the different nature of common signal processing and geometrical attacks, two different techniques for embed a same watermark are used in this method. In the first one, the luminance component (Y) information is used to embed the watermark bit sequence into the magnitude of the middle frequencies of the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). In the second one, a selected region of 2D histogram composed by blue-difference and red-difference (Cb–Cr) chrominance components is modified according to the watermark bit sequence. The quality of the watermarked image is measured using the following well-known indices peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), visual information fidelity (VIF) and structural similarity index (SSIM). The difference color of the watermarked image is obtained using the normalized color difference (NCD) measure. The experimental results show that the proposed method provides robustness against several geometric distortions, signal processing operations, combined distortions and photo editing. The comparison with the previously reported methods based on different techniques is also provided.     

Continuous front propagation-based overhang control for topology optimization with additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing enables the nearly uncompromised production of optimized topologies. However, due to the overhang limitation, some designs require a large number of supporting structures to enable manufacturing. Because these supports are costly to build and difficult to remove, it is desirable to find alternative designs that do not require support. In this work, a filter is presented that suppresses non-manufacturable regions within the topology optimization loop, resulting in designs that can be manufactured without the need for supports. The filter is based on front propagation, can be evaluated efficiently, and adjoint sensitivities are calculated with almost no additional computational cost. The filter can be applied also to unstructured meshes and the permissible degree of overhang can be freely chosen. The method is demonstrated on several compliance minimization problems in which its computational efficiency and flexibility are shown. The current applications are in 2D, and the proposed method is readily extensible to 3D.     

Utilization of lignite ash in concrete mixture

In this article 11 ashes from various Turkish lignite sources were studied to show the effects upon lignite ash quality for use as a mineral admixture in concrete. The lignite ashes were classified into two general types (Class A and Class B) based on total of silica, alumina, and iron oxide. Total content of the three major oxides must be more than 50 % for Class A lignite ash and more than 70 % for Class B lignite ash. When 25 % of the cement was replaced by LA-1 (Class A) lignite ash, based on 300 kg/m³ cementitious material, the 28-day compressive strength increased 24.3 % compared to the control mix. The optimal lignite ash replacement was 25 % at 300 kg/m³ cementitious material.     

In vitro cytotoxicity of monticellite based bioactive ceramic powder synthesized from boron derivative waste

The cytotoxicity of monticellite based bioactive ceramic powder, which was synthesized from boron derivative waste has been determined by in vitro assays of MTT, NRU, and JC-1 staining. The toxicity of powder on different mammalian cell lines (3T3-L1, HUVEC, CRL-2120) was evaluated at the concentrations of 10, 100, 200, 400 and 800?µg/mL to justify its potential for biomedical applications. The obtained results showed that monticellite based bioactive ceramic powder possesses not only bioactive feature but also biocompatible characteristic at the concentration range of 10–200?µg/mL. Hence, monticellite based bioactive ceramics have high potential as a bone graft substitute for bone void filling and coating applications.     

3D Printing of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Based Piezoelectric Nanocomposites: An Overview

Recently, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based nanocomposites have attracted much attention for next-generation wearable applications such as promising piezoelectric energy harvesters (nanogenerators), energy storage devices, sensing devices, and biomedical devices due to their high flexibility, and high dielectric and piezoelectric properties. 3D printing technology, PVDF based piezoelectric nanocomposites, the studies based on 3D printing of PVDF based piezoelectric nanocomposites by inkjet printing and fused deposition modeling, and enhancements of energy harvesting and storage performance of nanocomposites by structural design are comprehensively overviewed here. An insight is provided into 3D printing techniques, structure and properties of PVDF based polymers, various nanofillers and production methods for nanocomposites, solutions to enhance β phase (crystallinity) of PVDF, and improvements of nanocomposites’ breakdown strength, discharged energy density, and piezoelectric power output by mentoring structural design.     

Susceptor-assisted fast microwave sintering of TiN reinforced SiAlON composites in a single mode cavity

In the present study, 17 wt % TiN reinforced α-β SiAlON composites were sintered at low temperature by susceptor-assisted microwave heating. The effect of TiN addition on dielectrical properties of starting powders, as well as the influence of sintering temperature on phase evolution, microstructure development and mechanical properties of α/β-SiAlON-TiN composites were investigated. The obtained results showed that TiN addition increased the microwave absorbing properties which is reflected in the peak sintering temperature. Thus, the α:β ratio decreased and mechanical properties were improved, especially the fracture toughness of the composites. Furthermore, an estimate of energy consumption during microwave assisted sintering at the laboratory scale is presented. As a result, the highest values for relative density (97.1%), Vickers hardness (13.35 ± 0.47 GPa), and fracture toughness (7.52 ± 0.54 MPa m^1/2) were obtained by microwave sintering for 30 min at 1300 °C.     

Oxidation behavior of electrically conductive α/β SiAlON composites with segregated network of TiCN

The oxidation behavior of novel electrically conductive α/β SiAlON composites with a continuous network of 2.5–10 vol% TiCN particulates was investigated. Composites, produced by coating spray dried granules with nano TiCN particles by a simple blending method, were gas pressure sintered at 1990 °C for 1 h under 10 MPa N₂ pressure. Oxidation tests were carried out between 800 °C and 1200 °C in air for 2 and 48 h in atmosphere of dry air. Below 1000 °C, the formation of TiO₂ crystals on the surfaces of TiCN particles was observed. Before the glass transition temperature of intergranular phase (T_g < 1000 °C), it was revealed that oxidation is controlled by the diffusion of oxygen into pre-formed TiO₂ particles. Above T_g, liquid glass dissolves the intergranular phase elements such as Ti, Y, and Si at the interface between TiCN and SiAlON particles. Migration of Ti towards the (opening point of the TiCN network) surface was found to be the main reason for the formation of subsurface porosity that slows down Ti diffusion through the surface. Moreover, it was detected that at high temperatures surface porosity filled by the intergranular glassy phase. Consequently, the oxidation rate was found to be decreased due to the slower oxygen diffusion.     

HYDROGEN RESOURCES : CONVERSION OF BLACK LIQUOR TO HYDROGEN RICH GASEOUS PRODUCTS

Abstract

Two precipitates were obtained from original black liquor by using hydrochloric acid and carbon dioxide. The precipitates were liqufied and gasificated by non-catalytic and catalytic runs at gradually elevated temperatures. The amount of gaseous products increased with increasing temperature and percent of catalyst. The percent of hydrogen in the obtained gas mixture was the highest in potassium carbonate catalytic runs (37 %).     

The effects of season and sex in the metal levels of mature common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) in Mersin Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean

The effects of sex and season on metal levels of the mantle of the common cuttlefish that was caught from Mersin Bay were evaluated. The annual range of mantle length (ML), total length (TL), and weight of common cuttlefish specimens were 110 to 183 mm, 380 to 581 mm, and 150.24 to 477.13 g, respectively. The annual range of metal levels in the mantle tissue of common cuttlefish were: 2.34 to 3.89 μg Cd g(-1), 0.30 to 0.63 μg Cr g(-1), 0.15 to 0.54 μg Pb g(-1), 2.35 to 14.90 μg Cu g(-1), 23.22 to 51.88 μg Zn g(-1), and 5.12 to 10.65 μg Fe g(-1). Cu levels of females were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those found in male throughout all the seasons while Pb levels were lower (P < 0.05) in males than females. Cr levels in the mantle tissue of cuttlefish did not change throughout the seasons. On the contrary, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Fe levels in the mantle tissue of cuttlefish changed throughout all the seasons. The highest Cd, Zn, and Fe levels were obtained in spring while the highest Cu levels were obtained in autumn. It was also found out that this species was rich in terms of metal levels, particularly, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Fe. It was found out that the mantle tissue of the common cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, which was caught from Mersin Bay, was contaminated with Cd in all the seasons.