Sharif Digital Repository

In this paper we propose a method for CBIR based on the combination of texture, edge map and color. As texture of edges yields important information about the images, we utilized an adaptive edge detector that produces a binary edge image. Also, using the statistics of color in two different color spaces provides complementary information to retrieve images. Our method is time efficient since we have applied texture calculations on the binary edge image. Our experimental results showed both the higher accuracy and lower time complexity of our method with similar related works using SIMPLIcity database  

The pipe-spool fabrication process is a critical operational section in the piping projects that usually used to accelerate and discipline the installation process, especially, when we have a particular deadline for the project. For this reason, the fast and optimal scheduling of the fabrication activities with considering the real conditions and using manual or traditional methods is a significant problem for the decision-makers. In this paper, we use a novel linear programming model to schedule the spool fabrication activities based on the flexible job shop scheduling problem (FJSP). Because FJSP is a challengeable NP-hard problem, we solve the proposed mathematical model with a heuristic... 

Blood cell segmentation is a crucial part of many medical and laboratory procedures such as cell counting and blood cell disorder diagnosis. Among different types of blood cells, white blood cells are the most important clinically, as they suffer greatest from blood disorders. In this paper we propose a method for automatic segmentation of white blood cells nucleus. A distinctive function is used in YCbCr color space to segment the white blood cells nucleus. Next, the sub-images are extracted which contain the whole body of white blood cell nucleus. Then an active contour method is applied to the sub-images extracted from the previous step to accurately segment the cell nucleus boundary. Our... 

In this study, a particular nickel-based superalloy has been studied by transmission electron microscopy and the results are discussed in terms of phase transformations that may have taken place. The alloy has been found to consist of three major phases; a FCC γ phase containing a random distribution of nearly spherical γ′ - Ni3Al(Ti) - precipitates and elongated thin Ni3Ti(Ta) platelets with a hexagonal structure. The orientation relationships between the different phases have been determined; loss of coherency and possible occurrence of misfit-relieving interfacial dislocations are discussed and compared with experimental observations, and possible mechanisms of phase transformations are... 

This study focuses on developing an efficient material that integrates high adsorption performances of dye and antibiotics as well as effective oxidation activity of it. Herein, we report a facile method to synthesize polyresorcinol@CoFe2 O4 via a one-step hydrothermally route. The prepared composite possesses multifunctional performance for methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline (TC) removal with appropriate magnetic separation operation and significant removal ability with an adsorption capacity of 51.48 and 28.16 mg g–1, respectively. Meanwhile, the aforementioned composite exhibits a high oxidation activity toward MB and TC molecules where the adsorption capacity increases to 1,723 and 120... 

Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs), coupling photocatalysts and membranes in a single system, have shown a considerable potential to reduce membrane fouling, which is one of the major drawbacks of using membranes to treat water and wastewater. In this study, the visible light-activated photocatalysts were incorporated into the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) casting solution to synthesize the photocatalytic composite membranes. The physicochemical properties and the morphology of the membranes and photocatalysts were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance... 

The coupling of photocatalysis with membrane technology, which is known as photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs), has received great consideration in recent years and become a promising approach with the high potential to improve the fouling of membranes. In this paper, the photocatalyst of g-C3N4 treated with H2O2 was incorporated with a polysulfone membrane to enhance the anti-fouling properties of the membrane. AFM, FE-SEM images, porosity, and contact angle analysis indicated that the membrane properties like hydrophilicity, porosity, and surface roughness were improved. Also, UV–visible DRS, PL spectra, EIS analysis confirmed that the treated g-C3N4 (H2O2-g-C3N4) had high light... 

Great advantages bestowed by mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) including high surface area, tailorable pore diameter and surface chemistry, and large pore volume render them as efficient tools in biomedical applications. Herein, MSNs with different surface chemistries were synthesized and investigated in terms of biocompatibility and their impact on the morphology of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells both in 2D and 3D culture systems. Bare MSNs (BMSNs) were synthesized by template removing method using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor. The as-prepared BMSNs were then used to prepare amine-functionalized (AMSNs), carboxyl-functionalized (CMSNs) and polymeric... 

The effect of a permanent magnetic field on the heat transfer characteristics of hybrid graphene-magnetite nanofluids (hybrid nanofluid) under forced laminar flow was experimentally investigated. For this purpose, a reduced graphene oxide-Fe3O4 was synthesized by using two-dimensional (2D) graphene oxide, iron salts and tannic acid as the reductant and stabilizer. Graphene sheets acted as the supporting materials to enhance the stability and thermal properties of magnetite nanoparticles. The thermo-physical and magnetic properties of this hybrid nanofluid have been widely characterized and it shows that the thermal conductivity increased up to 11%. The hybrid nanofluid behaves as a Newtonian... 

Endothelial cell migration is a crucial step in the process of new blood vessel formation - a necessary process to maintain cell viability inside thick tissue constructs. Here, we report a new method for maintaining cell viability and inducing cell migration using a perfused microfluidic platform based on collagen gel and a gradient hydrogel sheet. Due to the helpful role of the extracellular matrix components in cell viability, we developed a hydrogel sheet from decellularized tissue (DT) of the bovine heart and chitosan (CS). The results showed that hydrogel sheets with an optimum weight ratio of CS/DT = 2 possess a porosity of around 75%, a mechanical strength of 23 kPa, and display cell... 

Dopamine is one of the most important neurotransmitters released by neurons in the central nervous system, and a variety of neurological illnesses and mental disorders are associated with impairments in the secretion and functionality of dopamine. Dopamine, depending on the type of receptors, can act as a stimulant or an inhibitor. In this study, dendrimer-conjugated dopamine was utilized as a chelating agent for Technetium-99m to investigate the organ distribution of this compound in vivo using the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) technique. For this purpose, dendrimers were synthesized using polyethylene glycol diacid and citric acid precursors, and dopamine was... 

Despite the promise of hydrogel-based stem cell therapies in orthopedics, a significant need still exists for the development of injectable microenvironments capable of utilizing the regenerative potential of donor cells. Indeed, the quest for biomaterials that can direct stem cells into bone without the need of external factors has been the "Holy Grail" in orthopedic stem cell therapy for decades. To address this challenge, we have utilized a combinatorial approach to screen over 63 nanoengineered hydrogels made from alginate, hyaluronic acid, and two-dimensional nanoclays. Out of these combinations, we have identified a biomaterial that can promote osteogenesis in the absence of...