Sharif Digital Repository

Automatic cell segmentation has various applications in different parts of science. The development of automated methods for cell segmentation, remains challenging in situations where there are touching cells. In this paper we propose a new method for separating touching cells. As the first step, we use a combination of graph segmentation algorithm and thresholding for segmenting foreground objects and producing a binary image. Next, boundary points of separation zone are selected by using a corner detection algorithm. Finally, the marker controller watershed transform is applied to separate touching cells at selected points. © 2008 IEEE  

To the best of our knowledge, this work presents the first successful effort to fabricate and study nanostructured Ni-based composite coatings using the electrophoretic deposition method with nanostructured SiO2 particles. In this work, Ni/SiO2 nanoparticle composite coatings were prepared by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) [1] and their hardness, wear and corrosion resistances [2] were examined. After studying the morphology of the coatings and finding the optimum conditions for uniform coating, in order to improve the mechanical properties as well as resistance to corrosion, sintering was performed. The Ni/SiO2 nanocomposite coatings show excellent hardness (∼376 HV), reduced Young's... 

Cloud computing as a new technology can provide significant advantages in electronic banking services. Adoption of this technology in e-banking services requires consideration of several factors. The main objective of this study is to identify and rank the effective factors on adoption of cloud computing in e-banking. The factors were identified from literature review in four dimension based on TOE and HOT-fit models (technological, human, environmental and organisational factors). As a result of this study, 16 factors were identified in four dimensions. Using fuzzy group decision-making model and pairwise comparison between factors (by a survey of 63 experts, academics and practical persons... 

In this paper, a novel structure is presented in order to decrease the polarization charges of quantum wells. The main purpose of this design is to make electron and hole wavefunctions closer to each other and to increase overlap integral following an increase of radiative recombination rates and internal quantum efficiency. Furthermore, carriers will be increased and become more balanced and identical which leads to an increase in efficiency of light-emitting diodes. The improvement of radiative recombination rates is studied in new structures. Energy bands diagram, carriers density, current density–voltage, and power density–current density are used to demonstrate the superior performance... 

In this paper, a novel structure is presented in order to decrease the polarization charges of quantum wells. The main purpose of this design is to make electron and hole wavefunctions closer to each other and to increase overlap integral following an increase of radiative recombination rates and internal quantum efficiency. Furthermore, carriers will be increased and become more balanced and identical which leads to an increase in efficiency of light-emitting diodes. The improvement of radiative recombination rates is studied in new structures. Energy bands diagram, carriers density, current density–voltage, and power density–current density are used to demonstrate the superior performance... 

The wellhead flow control valve bodies which are the focal point of this failure case study were installed in some of the upstream facilities of Khangiran's sour gas wells. These valve bodies have been operating satisfactorily for 3 years in wet H2S environment before some pits and cracks were detected in all of them during the periodical technical inspections. One failed valve body was investigated by chemical and microstructural analytical techniques to find out the failure cause and provide preventive measures. The valve body alloy was A216-WCC cast carbon steel. During investigation many cracks were observed on the inner surface of the valve body grown from the surface pits. The results... 

Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) use social media to reach a global audience. Simultaneously, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an important feature of MNEs’ communications with stakeholders via social media. It is, therefore, important to understand the country and industry level differences in how stakeholders engage with CSR communications of MNEs via social media. We examine this across four countries and three industries by focusing on stakeholders’ engagement with CSR (vs. non-CSR) posts on Twitter. We find significant differences across industries within countries for three separate aspects of behavioural engagement (likes, retweets and replies). In addition, CSR posts... 

In the traditional agri-fresh food supply chain (AFSC), geographically dispersed small farmers transport their products individually to the market for sale. This leads to a higher transportation cost, which is the primary cause of farmers’ low profitability. This paper formulates a traditional product movement problem in AFSC. First, the aggregate product movement model is combined with the vehicle routing model to redesign an existing AFSC (the ETKA Company; the most extensive domestic agri-fresh food supply chain in Iran) based on the available data. For the four-echelon, multi-period supply chain under investigation, a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed for the... 

The correct name of the 3rd Author is presented in this paper. © 2021, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature  

In this work, a more accurate prediction of liquid evaporation flux has been achieved. The statistical rate theory approach, which is recently introduced by Ward and Fang and exact estimation of vapor pressure in the layer adjacent to the liquid-vapor interface have been used for prediction of this flux. Firstly, the existence of an equilibrium layer adjacent to the liquid-vapor interface is considered and the vapor pressure in this layer and its thickness calculated. Subsequently, by using the Fick's second law, an appropriate vapor pressure expression for the pressure of equilibrium layer is derived and by this expression and the statistical rate theory approach, evaporation flux is... 

This research investigates what consumers in democratized luxury markets value when purchasing luxury items. Nonetheless, these consumers have a limited budget and can not always buy luxury items, yet they are drawn back to these luxury brands. Thus, we use brand engagement in self-concept (BESC) to explain the relationship between these consumers and luxury brands within democratized luxury markets. A conceptualized model of three luxury value dimensions (experiential, symbolic, and functional) is proposed, and 488 cases were gathered through a phone survey. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that the most critical... 

Enterprise risk management (ERM) has emerged as a more integrated risk management (IRM) framework in recent years. Many studies have been conducted in recent years to determine the effects of ERM implementation on other parts of an organization. The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between ERM implementation and organizational performance. The research sample consisted of Iranian banks that either had a license from the central bank of Iran (CBI) or were active in the stock market. A novel measure of ERM implementation was employed in this study. Furthermore, the return on equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q ratio were used as two measures of organizational performance. The... 

The synthesis of a variety of 2,3-disubstituted quinolines has been achieved successfully via a one-pot three-component reaction of arylamines, arylaldehydes and aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of butylpyridinium tetrachloroindate(III), [bpy][InCl4], ionic liquid as a green catalyst and solvent. Mild conditions with excellent conversions, and simple product isolation procedure are noteworthy advantages of this method. The recyclability of the ionic liquid makes this protocol environmentally benign