Optimized K-means (OKM) clustering algorithm for image segmentation

This paper presents the optimized K-means (OKM) algorithm that can homogenously segment an image into regions of interest with the capability of avoiding the dead centre and trapped centre at local minima phenomena. Despite the fact that the previous improvements of the conventional K-means (KM) algorithm could significantly reduce or avoid the former problem, the latter problem could only be avoided by those algorithms, if an appropriate initial value is assigned to all clusters. In this study the modification on the hard membership concept as employed by the conventional KM algorithm is considered. As the process of a pixel is assigned to its associate cluster, if the pixel has equal distance to two or more adjacent cluster centres, the pixel will be assigned to the cluster with null (e. g., no members) or to the cluster with a lower fitness value. The qualitative and quantitative analyses have been performed to investigate the robustness of the proposed algorithm. It is concluded that from the experimental results, the new approach is effective to avoid dead centre and trapped centre at local minima which leads to producing better and more homogenous segmented images.     

Synthesis and Coordination Behavior of a New Hybrid Bidentate Ligand with Phosphine and Silylene Donors

This work describes the synthesis and coordination behavior of a new mixed-donor ligand PhC(NtBu)₂SiC₆H₄PPh₂ ( 1 ) containing both silylene and phosphine donor sites. Ligand 1 was synthesized from a reaction of ortho-lithiated diphenylphosphinobenzene (LiC₆H₄PPh₂) with chlorosilylene (PhC(NtBu)₂SiCl). Treatment of 1 with Se and GeCl₂ resulted in Si^IV compounds 2 and 3 by selective oxidation of the silylene donor. This strong σ-donor ligand induces dissociation of CuCl and PhBCl₂ leading to formation of ionic complexes 4 and 5 respectively. The reaction of 1 with ZnCl₂ and AlCl₃ resulted in the formation of chelate complexes 5 and 7 , respectively, while treatment with EtAlCl₂ and GaCl₃ forms monodentate complexes 8 and 9 . X-ray analysis of 4 showed that the copper is in the spiro center of the two five-membered rings. Moreover, the copper(I)chloride has not been oxidized but dissociates to Cu⁺ and [CuCl₂]⁻. All the compounds are well characterized by mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Structural,morphological and mechanical properties of niobium nitride thin films grown by ion and electron beams emanated from plasma

The influence of variation in plasma deposition parameters on the structural, morphological and mechanical characteristics of the niobium nitride films grown by plasma-emanated ion and electron beams are investigated. Crystallographic investigation made by X-ray diffractometer shows that the film synthesized at 10?cm axial distance with 15 plasma focus shots (PFS) exhibits better crystallinity when compared to the other deposition conditions. Morphological analysis made by scanning electron microscope reveals a definite granular pattern composed of homogeneously distributed nano-spheroids grown as clustered particles for the film synthesized at 10?cm axial distance for 15 PFS. Roughness analysis demonstrates higher rms roughness for the films synthesized at shorter axial distance and by greater number of PFS. Maximum niobium atomic percentage (35.8) and maximum average hardness (19.4?±?0.4?GPa) characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy and nano-hardness analyzer respectively are observed for film synthesized at 10?cm axial distance with 15 PFS.     

Xanthan sulfuric acid: An efficient and biodegradable solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes under solvent-free conditions

Xanthan sulfuric acid (XSA) is found to be an efficient catalyst for the electrophilic substitution reaction of indole with aromatic aldehydes to afford the corresponding bis(indolyl)methanes at room temperature under solvent-free conditions. The catalyst was characterized for the first time with the help of powder XRD, SEM–EDX and DSC–TGA. The attractive features of this green, new methodology are excellent yield of products, clean reaction profile, reusability of the catalyst, energy sustainable protocol, simple experimental and easier work-up procedures.     

Ionic liquid behavior and high thermal stability of silver chloride nanoparticles: Synthesis and characterization

Silver chloride was found to be stable even after calcination at 650 °C for 10 h. SEM studies revealed the morphology of silver chloride as hexagonal particles. TEM studies show the size of silver chloride particles to have an average size of 6–7 nm. Thermal studies suggest that silver chloride nanoparticles behave like ionic liquid or molten salt in the range of 455–650 °C.     

A Convenient Synthesis of β-Amino Acid

We have reported the reductive cleavage of azlactones¹ and phenylhydrazones² of carbonyl compounds in the presence of a suitable catalyst. In this paper a general method involving a one step synthesis of β-amino acid^3,4, in good yield, through catalytic reduction of oximes of α-β-unsaturated acid is reported. This method involves the reaction of α, β-unsaturated acid with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of sodium acetate. Markovnikov's rule is followed in the synthesis of oximes of α, β-unsaturated acids.     

Quantum chemical study of IrFn (n = 1–7) clusters: An investigation of superhalogen properties

In present investigation, the interactions of iridium (Ir) atom with fluorine (F) atoms have been studied using the density functional theory. Up to seven F atoms were able to bind to a single Ir atom which resulted in increase of electron affinities successively, reaching a peak value of 7.85 eV for IrF₇. The stability and reactivity of these clusters were analyzed by calculating highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–LUMO gaps, molecular orbitals and binding energies of these clusters. The unusual properties of these clusters are due to the involvement of inner shell 5d‐electrons, which not only allows IrF_n clusters to belong to the class of superhalogens but also shows that its valence can exceed the nominal value of 2. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Determination of carbaryl by flow injection with luminol chemiluminescence inhibition detection

A flow-injection procedure is described for the determination of carbaryl based on its inhibition effect on luminol-cobalt(II) chemiluminescence reaction in alkaline medium in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The calibration data over the range 5.0?×?10^?7 to 20?×?10^?6?M give a correlation coefficient (r ²) of 0.9972 with relative standard deviations (RSD; n?=?4) in the range of 1.0–2.1% with a limit of detection (3?×?blank noise) of 2.37?×?10^?7?M for carbaryl. The sample throughput was 120?h^?1. The effects of some carbamates, anions, and cations were studied on luminol CL system for carbaryl determination. The proposed method has been applied to determine carbaryl in natural waters.