Underwater Image Enhancement Using Integrated Contrast Correction And White Balance Methods.

Kejelasan imej-imej dalam air dijejaskan oleh penyerapan cahaya, penyerakan cahaya dan kekeruhan air. The clarity of underwater images is degraded by light absorption, scattering of light and turbidity of water

Experimental and numerical studies of thermoregulating textiles incorporated with phase change materials

Phase change materials (PCMs) provide thermal management solution to textiles for the protection of wearer from extreme weather conditions. PCMs are the substances which can store or release a large amount of energy in the form of latent heat at certain melting temperature. This research reports practical and theoretical studies of textiles containing PCMs. Mono and multifilament filaments incorporated with microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) have been developed through melt spinning process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been performed for the characterisation of MPCM polypropylene filaments. The parameters for optimum fibre processing and their effect on mechanical properties of filaments with respect to the amount of MPCM have also been studied. A plain woven fabric has been constructed using the developed MPCM multifilament yarn. The heat transfer property of the multifilament yarn and fabric has been investigated using finite element method. The time dependent thermoregulating effect of yarn and fabric incorporated with MPCM has also been predicted according to the validated models. The synthesis of Nanocapsules containing mixture of paraffins and Glauber’s salt as PCM and its characterisation using DSC and SEM has also been carried out. Polypropylene monofilament incorporated with the nanoencapsulated paraffins was developed and its properties have been compared to its MPCM counterpart. Furthermore the developed nanocapsules were applied on a cotton fabric via a pad-dry-cure process and the resultant fabric was evaluated using DSC and SEM in comparison with MPCM treated fabric. The research work described in this thesis has established a better understanding of use of phase change materials in textiles, the evaluation and application. It is anticipated that this research will broaden the understanding and potential use of encapsulated phase change materials in textiles especially in the field of active smart textiles

Comparison of high-order methods on unstructured grids

A high-order Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method is formulated and implemented on the Cranfield University’s 3D unstructured Finite Volume Method (FVM) code (UCNS3D), for both linear and non-linear hyperbolic conservation laws and for test-cases which exhibit both smooth and discontinuous solutions. As both DG and FVM are developed on the same solver platform, this enables the use of any procedures which are common to both the methods, thus, ensuring the closest possible compari-son. The initial part of the thesis details the basic concepts and derivation of the discon-tinuous Galerkin method in the 1D space for the advection equation, which is then extended to the 3D space for a hyperbolic system. Prior to comparing the FVM and DG methods, the DG method implementation is verified. The verification is a combination of a theoretical and numerical approach which endeavours to minimize any potential programming errors. Following the verification of the DG method, the FVM and DG methods are compared for numerous flows: the linear advection equation and Euler equations, sufficiently smooth testcases, and testcases which require a limiter to suppress Gibb’s oscillations

Improving Software Cost Estimation With Function Points Analysis Using Fuzzy Logic Method

Function Points Analysis (FPA) is amongst the most generally used method to assess software cost estimation frameworks. This process speaks to the measurement of an undertaking, application, and function by its relative functional complexity. In general, it has numerous effective applications used in both industry and scholarly research. This is noticed that customized estimate technologies which can confront genuine challenges utilizing on programming building information is normally constrained, loosely gathered and deficient. To enquire these queries composite programming models, blend of information, fuzzy logic and master judgment is proposed. This is trusted that outcomes announced here will animate, renew investigation of fuzzy logic to genuine programming designing issues. In this research paper, we use Function Points and apply some new models to pick up a superior estimation of programming properties. The utilization of ideas and characteristics from the fuzzy set hypothesis to stretch out function points analysis to fuzzy function points analysis. Fuzzy hypothesis tries to construct formal quantitative arrangement equipped for imitating imprecision of the human information. With the function points created by Fuzzy FPA, an estimate value for example, expenses/cost and software development can be more correctly determined

Seismic behavior of triple tunnel complex in soft soil subjected to transverse shaking

Combining multiple tunnels into a single tunnel complex while keeping the surrounding area compact is a complicated procedure. The condition becomes more complex when soft soil is present and the area is prone to seismic activity. Seismic vibrations produce sudden ground shaking, which causes a sharp decrease in the shear strength and bearing capacity of the soil. This results in larger ground displacements and deformation of structures located at the surface and within the soil mass. The deformations are more pronounced at shallower depths and near the ground surface. Tunnels located in that area are also affected and can undergo excessive distortions and uplift. The condition becomes worse if the tunnel area is larger, and, thus, the respective tunnel complex needs to be properly evaluated. In this research, a novel triple tunnel complex formed by combining three closely spaced tunnels is numerically analyzed using Plaxis 2D software under variable dynamic loadings. The effect of variations in lining thickness, the inner supporting structure, embedment depth on the produced ground displacements, tunnel deformations, resisting bending moments, and the developed thrusts are studied in detail. The triple tunnel complex is also compared with the rectangular and equivalent horizontal twin tunnel complexes in terms of generated thrusts and resisted seismic-induced bending moments. From the results, it is concluded that increased thickness of the lining, inner structure, and greater embedment depth results in decreased ground displacements, tunnel deformations, and increased resistance to seismic-induced bending moments. The comparison of shapes revealed that the triple tunnel complex has better resistance against moments with the least amount of thrust and surface heave produced

Luteolin as a potent anti-leishmanial agent against intracellular Leishmania tropica parasite

Purpose: To examine the anti-leishmanial and cytotoxic effects of five naturally occurring phenolic compounds: luteolin (1), lalioside (2), luteolin-4’-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), apigenin 4-O-β-Dglucopyranoside (4) and apigenin (5) on Leishmania tropica KWH23 amastigotes .Methods: The compounds were isolated from the leaves of Lawsonia Inermis via hyphenated high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry coupled with solid phase extraction-tube transfer nuclear magnetic resonance technique. The isolated compounds were given intraperitoneally to L. tropica KWH23 amastigotes-infected albino mice at a dose of ≥ 3 mg/kg for 5 days. Amphotericin-B was used as standard (reference) drug. Lymphocytes were used to analyze their cytotoxicity.Results: For compound 1, mean lesion size decreased from 0.82 ± 0.12 to 0.10 ± 0.01 after 120 days, with 97 % cure of intracellular L. tropica amastigotes at a dose of 15 mg/kg, compared to amphotericin B which produced 95 % cure at a dose of 30 mg/kg. Half-maximal concentration (IC50) for compound 1 was 4.15 μg/ml against lymphocytes.Conclusion: The results indicate that luteolin is a potent inhibitor of L. tropica  amastigotes, with a higher cytotoxic activity against lymphocytes, compared with luteolin-4’-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.Keywords: Leishmania tropica, Luteolin, Lalioside, Luteolin-4’-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, Apigenin 4-O- β-D-glucopyranoside, Apigeni