A real-time virtual machine for task placement in loosely-coupled computer systems.

Nowadays, virtualization and real-time systems are increasingly relevant. Real-time virtual machines are adequate for closely-coupled computer systems, execute tasks from associated language only and re-target tasks to the new platform at runtime. Complex systems in space, avionics, and military applications usually operate with Loosely-Coupled Computer Systems in a real-time environment for years.

Therapeutic and diagnostic potential of nanomaterials for enhanced biomedical applications.

Biomedical applications of nanomaterials have received considerable attention and interest from many researchers over the past decade due to the key role they can play in enhancing public health. Different types of nanomaterials possess both diagnostic and therapeutic potential owing to their outstanding properties compared to their bulk counterparts. Herein, we present, analyze and provide significant insights and recent advances about the promising biomedical applications of nanoparticles including bioimaging of biological environments and its role as a significant tool for early detection of many diseases with respect to traditional means, explaining their types and limitations.

Antibacterial, antibiofilm, and photocatalytic activities of metals-substituted spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles.

This study reports the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye (a class of dyestuffs that are resistant to biodegradation) under the influence of UV-light irradiation. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of ferrite nanoparticles (FO NPs) were examined against some pathogenic bacteria isolated from the medical operating room surfaces. In the same context, metals-substituted spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with nominal composition [MCoFeO NPs; (M = Zn, Cu, Mn; x = 0.

Classification of dental diseases using hyperspectral imaging and laser induced fluorescence.

Purpose: Early diagnosis of tooth enamel demineralization, and dentin caries lesions, present a valuable solution to avoid or decrease their deleterious effect. The aim of this study was to design a simple, effective, and non-invasive technique, employing a novel laser wavelength to classify and differentiate between various tooth abnormalities in-vitro, by estimating wavelengths, showing distinctive appearance for each tooth class.

Methods: This study implies a fluorescence hyperspectral imaging system employing a 395-nm laser diode source, irradiating a pre-diagnosed 12 molars and premolars teeth.

Design and implementation of novel hyperspectral imaging for dental carious early detection using laser induced fluorescence.

Early detection of carious is vital for demineralization reversal, offering less pain, as well as precise carious removal. In this study, the difference in optical properties of normal tissue and human carious lesion has been used for early diagnosis, using laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. The optical system consists of light source in visible band and hyperspectral camera, associated with designed digital image processing algorithm.

Real time recognition of explosophorous group and explosive material using laser induced photoacoustic spectroscopy associated with novel algorithm for time and frequency domain analysis.

Energy-rich bonds such as nitrates (NO) and percholorates (ClO) have an explosive nature; they are frequently encountered in high energy materials. These bonds encompass two highly electronegative atoms competing for electrons. Common explosive materials including urea nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium percholorates were subjected to photoacoustic spectroscopy.

The effect of glycidyl azide polymer on the stability and explosive properties of different interesting nitramines.

Preparation of glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and its influence on the stability and explosive properties of polymer bonded explosives (PBXs) based on several cyclic nitramines, namely β-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (β-HMX), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), ε-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (ε-CL-20) and -1,3,4,6-tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5-]imidazole (BCHMX) are discussed. Impact and friction sensitivity were determined. Combustion heat and detonation velocity of the studied samples were measured.

Sonochemical fabrication of Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal-organic framework films on metal substrates.

In this article, we demonstrate a rapid and facile method for in-situ growth of metal-organic framework (MOF) films on Cu or Zn metal substrates by sonochemical techniques. The substrates were first treated with a strong oxidizing agent to convert the metal to the corresponding metal hydroxide. Ultrasonic irradiation provided the energy to drive the reaction between the metal ion sources and organic ligands.

Environmentally safe (chlorine-free): new green propellant formulation based on 2,2,2-trinitroethyl-formate and HTPB.

A new green (chlorine-free) high energy dense oxidizer (HEDO) 2,2,2-trinitroethyl-formate (TNEF) and its propellant formulation based on the hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as a binder was prepared and studied. The new oxidizer TNEF was successfully prepared and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and FTIR spectrometer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to check the crystal morphology of the oxidizer.

Higher Performance and Safer Handling: Formulation Based on 2,2,2-Trinitroethyl Formate and Nitrocellulose.

A new, green propellant formulation based on the high-energy dense oxidizer (HEDO) 2,2,2-trinitroethyl formate (TNEF) and nitrocellulose (NC) was prepared and thermally investigated using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to check the crystals of the oxidizer and the homogeneity of the new propellant formulation (NC-TNEF). The burning behavior of NC-TNEF was recorded by high-speed camera to observe the smoke produced.

Novel laser induced photoacoustic spectroscopy for instantaneous trace detection of explosive materials.

Laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS) is an attractive technology in terms of simplicity, ruggedness, and overall sensitivity; it detects the time dependent heat generated (thermo-elastic effect) in the target via interaction with pulsed optical radiation. This study reports on novel LPAS technique that offers instant and standoff detection capabilities of trace explosives. Over the current study, light is generated using pulsed Q-switched Nd:YAG laser; the generated photoacoustic response in stimulated explosive material offers signature values that depend on the optical, thermal, and acoustical properties.

Melanin-gamma rays assistants for bismuth oxide nanoparticles synthesis at room temperature for enhancing antimicrobial, and photocatalytic activity.

Melanin pigment has been deemed as a natural photoprotector with strong hydrophobicity. It allured considerable compatibility with many applications in medicine, food, and nanotechnology. Penicillium chrysogenium has been devoted to the green synthesis of melanin whereby optimizing its culture and environmental conditions.

Instant detection and identification of concealed explosive-related compounds: Induced Stokes Raman versus infrared.

The instant detection of explosives and explosive-related compounds has become an urgent priority in recent years for homeland security and counter-terrorism applications. Modern techniques should offer enhancement in selectivity, sensitivity, and standoff distances. Miniaturisation, portability, and field-ruggedisation are crucial requirements.

A novel imaging technique for measuring kinematics of light-weight flexible structures.

A new imaging algorithm is proposed to capture the kinematics of flexible, thin, light structures including frequencies and motion amplitudes for real time analysis. The studied case is a thin flexible beam that is preset at different angles of attack in a wind tunnel. As the angle of attack is increased beyond a critical value, the beam was observed to undergo a static deflection that is ensued by limit cycle oscillations.

Biodiesel Production by Aspergillus niger Lipase Immobilized on Barium Ferrite Magnetic Nanoparticles.

In this study, ADM110 fungi was gamma irradiated to produce lipase enzyme and then immobilized onto magnetic barium ferrite nanoparticles (BFN) for biodiesel production. BFN were prepared by the citrate sol-gel auto-combustion method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (SEM/EDAX) analysis. The activities of free and immobilized lipase were measured at various pH and temperature values.

Nanoscopic fuel-rich thermobaric formulations: Chemical composition optimization and sustained secondary combustion shock wave modulation.

Advanced thermobaric explosives have become one of the urgent requirements when targeting caves, fortified structures, and bunkers. Highly metal-based systems are designed to exploit the secondary combustion resulted from active metal particles; thus sustained overpressure and additional thermal loadings can be achieved. This study, reports on a novel approach for chemical composition optimization using thermochemical calculations in an attempt to achieve the highest explosion power.

High-performance near-infrared imaging for breast cancer detection.

We present a method for the noninvasive determination of the size, position, and optical properties of tumors in the human breast. The tumor is first detected by photothermal imaging. It is then sized, located, and optically characterized using designed digital image processing and edge-detection pattern recognition.

Image registration under illumination variations using region-based confidence weighted M-estimators.

We present an image registration model for image sets with arbitrarily shaped local illumination variations between images. Any nongeometric variations tend to degrade the geometric registration precision and impact subsequent processing. Traditional image registration approaches do not typically account for changes and movement of light sources, which result in interimage illumination differences with arbitrary shape.

Comparison between laser-induced photoemissions and phototransmission of hard tissues using fibre-coupled Nd:YAG and Er(3+)-doped fibre lasers.

During pulsed laser irradiation of dental enamel, laser-induced photoemissions result from the laser-tissue interaction through mechanisms including fluorescence and plasma formation. Fluorescence induced by non-ablative laser light interaction has been used in tissue diagnosis, but the photoemission signal accompanying higher power ablative processes may also be used to provide real-time monitoring of the laser-tissue interaction. The spectral characteristics of the photoemission signals from normal and carious tooth enamel induced by two different pulsed lasers were examined.

Fuzzy logic sliding mode control for command guidance law design.

Recently, the combination of sliding mode and fuzzy logic techniques has emerged as a promising methodology for dealing with nonlinear, uncertain, dynamical systems. In this paper, a sliding mode control algorithm combined with a fuzzy control scheme is developed for the trajectory control of a command guidance system. The acceleration command input is mathematically derived.