Computer Analysis of Knee by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data

Publisher Copyright: © 2017 The Authors.The examination of knee cartilage degradation by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data is essential due to the reduction in physical activity of the population and a rising number of patients with osteoarthritis(OA). The main aim of this publication is to show a new approach for analyzing knee tissue by MRI data. The present paper investigates the problems of relaxation times calculation, medical image segmentation and statistical texture features calculation. Proposed paper describes an approach for medical image segmentation, relaxation times calculation and statistical texture features calculation. An important aspect of analysis of articular cartilage relaxation times changing is illustrated in the experimental part. The experimental part of the publication also describes the dependence between organic structure and relaxation times. The proposed approach the obtained results can be useful for early OA diagnostics.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Hunting Down the Best Model of Inflation with Bayesian Evidence

We present the first calculation of the Bayesian evidence for different prototypical single field inflationary scenarios, including representative classes of small field and large field models. This approach allows us to compare inflationary models in a well-defined statistical way and to determine the current "best model of inflation". The calculation is performed numerically by interfacing the inflationary code FieldInf with MultiNest. We find that small field models are currently preferred, while large field models having a self-interacting potential of power p>4 are strongly disfavoured. The class of small field models as a whole has posterior odds of approximately 3:1 when compared with the large field class. The methodology and results presented in this article are an additional step toward the construction of a full numerical pipeline to constrain the physics of the early Universe with astrophysical observations. More accurate data (such as the Planck data) and the techniques introduced here should allow us to identify conclusively the best inflationary model.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, uses RevTeX. Misprint corrected, references added. Matches published versio

The Key Factors of Critical Path Method in Manufacturing Industry Project

Understanding the right project scheduling methodology is essential to ensure project completion on time. This research is addressing problem of project not complete on time due to project scheduling methodology specifically Critical Path Method methodology not entirely understood by project team. Objectives of this research is to identify the advantages and disadvantages of Critical Path Method, to identify success factor of Critical Path Method and to identify elements of Critical Path Method. The scope of this research is on manufacturing industry specifically in electronics sector located in Johor area and respondent consists of project management professionals. A total of 128 project management professionals eligible for the study with response rate of 91.43%. From those responses, 114 responses were valid for the final statistical assessment. The methodology is based on quantitative research approach. Survey has been used as an instrument for data collection while validity statistical analysis and reliability statistical analysis were used to assess collected data. Studies show the reliable advantages of Critical Path Method are assist project team to make an informed decision, delivers a systematic project scheduling, visualize scheduling risk and enhance project flexibility. Study also show reliable disadvantages of Critical Path Method are Critical Path increase when project duration shortens, Critical Path Method become more complex when scope, time and cost creep from initial project charter, Critical Path Method become ineffective to manage when cost and time are too flexible and changes too dynamic. Study also show that reliable success factor of Critical Path Method are maintain the project plan up-to- date which accessible by everyone and maintain the stakeholder updated using the right method of communication. Study show that reliable Critical Path Method elements are Critical Path analysis, float calculation, early start and early finish calculation, float determination and lastly late start and late finish calculation. (Abstract by author

Political News and Early Voter Alienation: Why Does Not Political Knowledge Lead Early Voters to Use Their Right to Vote?

Early voters whose backgrounds are senior high school level are believed to possess particular political knowledge. However, this group is suspected to be one of the nests of abstainers. Why does not political knowledge lead them to use their right to vote? To answer this question, a survey had been conducted toward 170 senior high school students in Kota Bandung and an intensive interview had been applied to 10 students. Statistical calculation shows that high correlation degree between political news influence and cognitive conception change of the students, but the degree is low to their political attitude. This discrepancy is caused by political news that is provided in newspaper which indirectly relates to the early voters\u27 need, besides more impressive news diminishing government image than ones discussing election

Efficiency of Canonical Discriminant Function versus Mahalanobis Distance in Differentiating Groups: Screening Ovarian Cancer in a Multivariate System Analysis Using Enzyme Markers

Due to its low prevalence, high mortality and uniquely hidden intrapelvic position, ovarian cancer remains a subject of intense interest to researchers. Statistical calculation and new technology both have major roles to play in the effort to screen this cancer at an early stage. Advanced statistics, such as multivariate analysis, remain at the root of screening endeavors. Multivariate analysis has the power to combine many tests and to produce better results in terms high specificity and positive predictive value. Multivariate analysis techniques include Mahalanobis distance (D2), canonical stepwise discriminant function (Z) and Posterior Probability. These may have varied efficacy, but to date comparisons have not been conducted to determine which is best in the context of ovarian cancer screening

Vertebra osteoporosis detection based on bone density using Index-Singh statistical blended method

Osteoporosis is a progressive decrease in bone density so that the bones become brittle and broken. Bones are composed of minerals such as calcium and phosphate, so the bones become hard and solid. Many people do not realize that osteoporosis is a silent disease. Therefore, early detection of osteoporosis is very important. Detection of osteoporosis can be done by utilizing x-ray images of the vertebra. In this research the detection of bone density using blended statistical methods and Index-Singh. The x-ray sample used in this research was 50 images of osteoporosis patients. The result of the area calculation yields the highest white pixel is 7,983 pixels and the lowest white pixel is 5,410 pixels. Based on the results of these calculations, a statistical grouping is conducted into 6 Index-Singh. The range of statistical values is 5,410–6,266 pixels grouped into Index-Singh 1, range of data 6,323–6,512 pixels grouped into Index-Singh 2, the data range 6,520-6,747 pixels grouped into Index-Singh 3, data range 6,778-6,998 pixels grouped into Index-Singh 4, data range 7,001-7,219 pixels grouped into Index-Singh 5, and data range 7,338-7,983 pixels grouped into Index-Singh 6. Overall, the results of testing the osteoporosis detection system have been successful and can be used as an early detection system for osteoporosis. This assistance system has a detection accuracy of 76% compared to doctor's justification

A hybrid Finite Element-Statistical Energy Analysis method for impulsive and transient loading

The hybrid approach coupling Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) and the finite element method has become a prominent technique for analysing structures under steady-state loads in the ‘mid-frequency’ range where some components behave in a deterministic manner with low modal density and others in a statistical manner with high modal density and statistical overlap. In this paper, the method is extended from its current steady-state capability to provide calculation of structural responses under impulsive and time-varying loads. Similar to the steady-state method, a system is split into deterministic components that are modelled using the finite element approach and statistical components that are modelled as SEA subsystems. An evolutionary spectrum approach based on the Priestley description of random processes is applied to model the response of both the SEA and deterministic components which are coupled by considering a power balance between the SEA subsystems. The diffuse field reciprocity relationship that relates the reverberant forces generated by a subsystem to the energy within it is explored under transient conditions where it is found that it can be important to account for the build-up of a reverberant field following an impulse. Results from the method are compared against finite element simulations for a system of plates coupled by a beam and it is found to generate predictions with the accuracy expected of an SEA-based method, although deterministic oscillations of the deterministic system at early times are not accounted for.MH

Systematic Procedures to Determine Incentive / Disincentive Dollar Amounts for Highway Transportation Construction Projects, Research Report 11-22

The Federal Highway Administration has encouraged state transportation agencies to implement Incentive/Disincentive (I/D) contracting provisions for early project completion. Although general guidelines to determine the I/D dollar amount for a project are available, there is no systematic and practical tool in use to determine optimum I/D dollar amounts for I/D projects considering road user cost, agency cost, contractor’s acceleration cost, and contractor’s cost savings. Therefore, systematic procedures and models to assist project planners and engineers in determining an appropriate I/D dollar amount are essential to optimizing the use of I/D contracting techniques. This research performed a literature review related to the determination of daily I/D dollar amounts. Caltrans I/D project data were then collected and evaluated. Project performance data were analyzed with regard to project outcomes in two key areas: project time and project cost. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the impact of I/D dollar amount on project time and cost performance. Using Construction Analysis for Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies (CA4PRS) software, Caltrans I/D projects were analyzed to introduce three different levels of CA4PRS implementations for the I/D dollar amounts calculation. Based on the results of the I/D project case studies, the systematic procedures to determine appropriate I/D dollar amounts were developed using the CA4PRS schedule-traffic-cost integration process for the new I-5 rehabilitation project in LA. The proposed procedures were applied to a typical highway pavement rehabilitation project using HMA (hot mix asphalt) materials. Further research is needed to apply the proposed model to other types of highway projects, with adjustment for the type of project