Automatic Gemstone Classification Using Computer Vision

This paper presents a computer-vision-based methodology for automatic image-based classification of 2042 training images and 284 unseen (test) images divided into 68 categories of gemstones. A series of feature extraction techniques (33 including colour histograms in the RGB, HSV and CIELAB space, local binary pattern, Haralick texture and grey-level co-occurrence matrix properties) were used in combination with different machine-learning algorithms (Logistic Regression, Linear Discriminant Analysis, K-Nearest Neighbour, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Naive Bayes and Support Vector Machine). Deep-learning classification with ResNet-18 and ResNet-50 was also investigated. The optimal combination was provided by a Random Forest algorithm with the RGB eight-bin colour histogram and local binary pattern features, with an accuracy of 69.4% on unseen images; the algorithms required 0.0165 s to process the 284 test images. These results were compared against three expert gemmologists with at least 5 years of experience in gemstone identification, who obtained accuracies between 42.6% and 66.9% and took 42–175 min to classify the test images. As expected, the human experts took much longer than the computer vision algorithms, which in addition provided, albeit marginal, higher accuracy. Although these experiments included a relatively low number of images, the superiority of computer vision over humans is in line with what has been reported in other areas of study, and it is encouraging to further explore the application in gemmology and related areas.

Anymatrix: an extensible MATLAB matrix collection

Anymatrix is a MATLAB toolbox that provides an extensible collection of matrices with the ability to search the collection by matrix properties. Each matrix is implemented as a MATLAB function and the matrices are arranged in groups. Compared with previous collections, Anymatrix offers three novel features. First, it allows a user to share a collection of matrices by putting them in a group, annotating them with properties, and placing the group on a public repository, for example on GitHub; the group can then be incorporated into another user’s local Anymatrix installation. Second, it provides a tool to search for matrices by their properties, with Boolean expressions supported. Third, it provides organization into sets, which are subsets of matrices from the whole collection appended with notes, which facilitate reproducible experiments. Anymatrix comes with 146 built-in matrices organized into 7 groups with 49 recognized properties. The authors continue to extend the collection and welcome contributions from the community.

Effect of laser deweighting on properties of ZL205A aluminum alloy

In this paper, a nanosecond fiber pulse laser is used to carry out the experimental study on laser weight removal of ZL205A aluminum alloy gyro rotor. By optimizing the process parameters of laser weight removal, better surface morphology was obtained. The effects of surface roughness, metallographic structure and hardness of samples before and after laser deweighting were analyzed. The experimental results show that the laser weight removal does not affect the matrix properties of ZL205A aluminum alloy. The laser de-weight technology is suitable for the balance of ZL205A aluminum alloy gyro rotor.

A Novel Biocompatible Herbal Extract-Loaded Hydrogel for Acne Treatment and Repair

A novel herbal extract-loaded gel containing several biofunctional extracts, including green tea, Zingiber officinale Rosc, Phyllanthus emblica, and salicylic acid, was developed for acne vulgaris. These natural raw materials were blended with suitable dosages of gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to produce a biocompatible herbal gel. The physical chemistry properties of the hydrogel were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), rheometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the hydrogel showed good mechanical and morphological characteristics. The herbal extract-loaded hydrogel mimicked extracellular matrix properties and showed good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and various advantages, serving as a potential wound dressing material because of its high moisture retention ability, wound exudate absorption behavior, and biocompatibility. It exhibited moderate-high antioxidative and anti-inflammatory qualities that were important for dermis wound closure. The clinical trial results showed that most patients experienced moderate to high healing rates, and four of twenty-four individuals (16.67%) had recovery area ratios greater than 80%. This herbal extract-loaded hydrogel has effective ingredients and excellent mechanical properties as a bioactive dressing agent for acne treatment.

Cyanate Ester Resin/Silica subnanocomposites and their superiority over nanocomposites due to fundamental role of constrained interfacial dynamics

The study of nanostructure, thermal and relaxation properties (by HAADF-STEM, EDXS, DMA and DSC), combined with the calculations of interparticle distances and interfacial areas, has been performed for a series of the hybrid Cyanate Ester Resin (CER)/Si02 polymer composites with 0.01 to 10 wt.% Si02 units introduced via a sol-gel process. The absence of clusterization, arising only subnanometric Si02 nodes and their quasi-regular distribution within the amorphous matrix, with the shortest distances between nodes, provided their exceptional positive impact on the matrix properties at ultra-low Si02 contents of 0.03-0.1 wt.%. The superiority of these subnanocomposites over the nanocomposites was determined by the role of constrained interfacial dynamics over the whole matrix.

EFFECT OF MANUFACTURING ON THE TRANSVERSE RESPONSE OF THERMOSET COMPOSITES

This study presents a finite element (FE) based virtual test procedure to investigate the effect of the manufacturing process on the transverse composite response. Computational models of the composite microstructures are generated and analyzed in commercial FE solver Abaqus supplemented by user-written subroutines. Several realizations of the composite microstructure with random fiber arrangement are analyzed assuming appropriate initial stress state and material definitions. The virtual test procedure is established to define the evolution of process-induced in-situ matrix properties through direct and inverse process modeling approaches. Subsequently, the composite microstructures are virtually tested in transverse tension to predict the transverse composite properties by implementing progressive damage models. In order to quantify the effect of manufacturing on the transverse composite response, predictions from the two approaches are compared to a third case which assumes an initial stress-free state and neglects the effect of processing conditions on the in-situ matrix properties. Variations of ±5% in average strength and 18% in standard deviations are observed with respect to ideally cured RVEs. It is established that process modeling in necessary to optimize the residual stress state and improve composite performance.

Impact of Modification on the Energy Characteristics of Surfaces and Matrix Properties of the New Effective Polymer Vascular Implants

New tissue-engineered vascular prostheses of small diameter (4mm) based on biodegradable polymer backbone – poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and its composition with poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV/ PCL) were created. The full cycle of surface modification of the backbone with polyvinylpyrrolidone and drugs permitted to increase significantly the atrombogenic and antimicrobial properties of prostheses and provide its effective matrix properties. Both types of the developed constructs are suitable for testing in vivo. The energy characteristics of the prosthesis surfaces at the different interfaces were determined. It was established that the value of the energy of the "polymer, saturated with octane/water" interface can be used as a parameter for predicting cell adhesion and proliferation in the case when it is difficult to determine or to distinguish the energy characteristics of the surfaces of tissue-engineered materials at the interface with air.

Proof Formalism General Quantum Density Commutator Matrix Physics

Formalism proofing general derivation, applying matrix properties operations, showing fundamental relationships with inner product to outer product has been advanced here. This general proof formalism has direct application with physics to quantify quantum density at micro scale level to time commutator at macro scale level. System of operator algebraic equations have been rigorously derived to obtain analytic solutions which are physically acceptable. Extended physics application will include metricizing towards unitarization to achieve gaging Hamiltonian mechanics to electromagnetic gravitational strong theory, towards grand unifying physics atomistic to astrophysics or vice versa via quantum relativistic general physics thereby patching to classical physics fields energy.