Edge Detection: A Collection of Pixel based Approach for Colored Images

The existing traditional edge detection algorithms process a single pixel on an image at a time, thereby calculating a value which shows the edge magnitude of the pixel and the edge orientation. Most of these existing algorithms convert the coloured images into gray scale before detection of edges. However, this process leads to inaccurate precision of recognized edges, thus producing false and broken edges in the image. This paper presents a profile modelling scheme for collection of pixels based on the step and ramp edges, with a view to reducing the false and broken edges present in the image. The collection of pixel scheme generated is used with the Vector Order Statistics to reduce the imprecision of recognized edges when converting from coloured to gray scale images. The Pratt Figure of Merit (PFOM) is used as a quantitative comparison between the existing traditional edge detection algorithm and the developed algorithm as a means of validation. The PFOM value obtained for the developed algorithm is 0.8480, which showed an improvement over the existing traditional edge detection algorithms.Comment: 5 Page

Optimal placement of excitations and sensors by simulated annealing

The optimal placement of discrete actuators and sensors is posed as a combinatorial optimization problem. Two examples for truss structures were used for illustration; the first dealt with the optimal placement of passive dampers along existing truss members, and the second dealt with the optimal placement of a combination of a set of actuators and a set of sensors. Except for the simplest problems, an exact solution by enumeration involves a very large number of function evaluations, and is therefore computationally intractable. By contrast, the simulated annealing heuristic involves far fewer evaluations and is best suited for the class of problems considered. As an optimization tool, the effectiveness of the algorithm is enhanced by introducing a number of rules that incorporate knowledge about the physical behavior of the problem. Some of the suggested rules are necessarily problem dependent

An improved secret sharing algorithm

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Soil Resources Degradation and Conservation Techniques Adopted Among the Small Holder Farmers in Gusau, North-Western Nigeria

Soil degradation is increasingly regarded as a major constraint to food production in the tropics. This problem is primarily caused by soil erosion, which particularly damages the soil surfaces. It is therefore the objectives of this paper to study the types of erosion in Gusau area as well as its effects on selected soil properties including particles size distribution, soil organic carbon, N, pH, P, Na, Ca, Mg and K, and CEC among others. The paper also attempts to unveil some anti-erosion measures practiced by small holder farmers for conserving the soils in the study area. Results showed that sheet erosion type is the most prevalent in the study area, and that erosion has declining effects on the above soil properties especially in bare land than in cultivated soils. Different techniques including mulching, contour farming, cover cropping, terracing and strip cropping are being practiced by the farmers as soil and water conservation techniques for improved crop production

Flower extract as an improvised indicator in acid – base titration

Different flowers were collected and the extracts were tested for indicator properties in acidic and basic solutions. The results showed different colour changes in alkaline and colourless in acid solutions. When used in acid-base titration, the end points colours and the average titre values obtained matched with that of standard phenolphthalein indicator. The finding indicates an alternative way of enriching laboratory practical with an instructional material that is useful, economical, simple and accurate for the said titration. Therefore, it is recommended for integrated science and chemistry instructions.Keywords: Flower, acid, base, indicator, titration

Comparative Studies on Some Physicochemical Properties of Baobab, Vegetable, Peanut and Palm Oils

Industrial and nutritional processes have increased the demands for oil and this in turn has led to the search for oils from different types of seeds. It is in this vein that baobab seed oil was extracted, analyzed and some of it physicochemical properties compared with those of vegetable, peanut and palm oils. The percentage yield, iodine value, acid value, peroxide value, moisture, free fatty acids and gossypol content of the oils were determined. The results show that baobab seed oil has quality comparable with those of commercial oil and it has great nutritional and industrial potentials. It is therefore recommended that more research be undertaken for this abundant source of natural nutritious oil

Fertility Enhancing Effect of Diopyros mespiliformis (African Ebony) Stem Bark on Testes of Wistar Albino Rats: A hormonal study

Diospyros mespiliformis (African ebony) is a plant that is highly recognized all over African and Asian countries, for its medicinal and curative properties. This study investigates the effects of Diospyros mespiliformis aqueous stem bark extract on the testis, epididymal weight and hormonal assay in Wistar albino rats at different doses. Thirty Adult Wistar rats were assigned into five groups of six rats each. With group I serving as control, while group (II, III, IV and V) were treated with 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg 100mg/kg and 100mg/kg (post treatment group) of the extract within the experimental period of twenty eight days. Twenty four hours after the last oral administration, the rats in groups (I- IV) were euthanized for tissue harvesting. The rats in group V were allowed to remain for fourteen days post-treatment and they were euthanized on day fifteen. Testes, epididymis tissues were harvested and weighed, blood samples were collected for hormonal analysis. Investigations revealed an increased in testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) serum level in groups (II, III and IV) when compared to groups (I and V). The testis and epididymis weight increased in groups (III and IV) when compared to the groups (I, II and V). The results of the study revealed that aqueous stem bark extract of Diospyros mespiliformis have fertility enhancing potentials on the testis, epididymis and hormonal serum level in Wistar albino rats. Keywords: Diospyros mespiliformis, Epididymis, Fertility enhancers, Hormone, Weigh

Relative Importance of External Quality Attributes of Shell Eggs: A Consumer Preference Approach

Three Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and questionnaires (n= 120) from two sensory evaluation sessions were used to identify, rank and compare external quality attributes of shell eggs for their relative importance. Data collected were described and analysed inferentially. The identified attributes were also matched to consumer quality expectations. Quality attributes identified in order of importance were size, cleanliness, colour, uniformity and texture with respective scores of 56, 47, 24, 14 and 8. An inferential comparison of the attributes however, showed that size and cleanliness were rated higher (P<0.05) than colour, uniformity and texture, with no significant (P>0.05) sub-class differences. Respondents expected large eggs to have more edible material; clean shells to signify freshness and safety, while dark coloured eggs were expected to be more nutritious and to have stronger shells. It is suggested that these attributes could form a basis for the development of a grading system in Nigeria. Also egg retailers could gain some competitive advantage by paying attention to the attributes identified, especially those of higher relative importance like large size and shell cleanliness

Transhydrogenation of pentane and 1-hexyne over CrOx/Al2O3 and potassium-doped CrOx/Al2O3 catalysts

The transhydrogenation of pentane (P) and 1-hexyne (1HY) was investigated over 4% CrOx/Al2O3 and potassium-doped 4% CrOx/Al2O3 catalysts over a range of temperatures (523–773 K) with a 5:1 P:1HY ratio. Over the CrOx/Al2O3 catalyst, transhydrogenation clearly occurred at temperatures below 625 K where the yield of alkenes was higher for the co-fed system than for a combination of the individual yields. Due to the acidic nature of the alumina, many of the products were alkylated olefins and alkylated hydrocarbons formed by coincident alkylation and isomerisation. When pentane was added to a feed containing 1-hexyne, the extent of carbon deposition was reduced. By comparing transhydrogenation to limited hydrogen 1-hexyne hydrogenation at 623 K, it was shown that the processes of hydrogenation and transhydrogenation were different, with hydrogenation favouring alkanes, while transhydrogenation favoured alkenes. This may be because pentane dehydrogenation only releases two hydrogen atoms, which only allows 1-hexyne to hydrogenate to 1-hexene. Therefore, if the rate of alkene isomerisation and desorption is faster than that of pentane dehydrogenation, only alkenes will be observed. The latter proposal would suggest that the dehydrogenation/hydrogenation process is closely coupled and would be consistent with pentane influencing 1-hexyne surface chemistry. The effect of the potassium doping was to increase the yield of alkenes. The reason for this may be related to changes in the nature of the surface chromia species. The potassium also neutralised the acid sites on the alumina, reducing the extent of alkylation and hydrogenolysis, which suppressed the formation of other alkynes in the product mix