Computer-aided diagnosis system for bone fracture detection using machine learning algorithms

Diagnostic imaging technology has revolutionized the healthcare industry by allowing more accurate and earlier diagnosis of diseases. This technology reduces the need for invasive procedures such as surgery and enhances the quality of patient care. Several machine learning algorithms like SVM, K-mean clustering and UNET have been demonstrated to be capable of solving classification, detection, and segmentation problems in medical imaging, as well as being used for super-resolution techniques. The purpose of this thesis is to examine machine learning and image processing methods for four key challenges in medical image analysis. The first one is the segmentation of medical images. The second challenge involves implementing super-resolution techniques for medical images. Third, using image processing methods in order to diagnose the abnormalities. The fourth contribution is to enrich the image information by mapping of medical images between different modalities using deep neural models. In this research, all contributions aim at developing an end-to-end model that can detect fractures automatically or be used as a clinical assistant to reduce errors. As the first contribution, the thesis presents a multi-stage novel approach for bone segmentation in X-ray images using faster region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) and distance regularized level set evolution (DRLSE) algorithms. A hybrid model utilizing deep neural network (DNN) and image processing techniques are proposed to segment the bones in two stages. Our model is more robust to the changes in X-ray images, as well as applicable to bones that are misplaced. Additionally, we have used transfer learning to reduce the amount of time and effort required to collect and label the data. As the second contribution, DNN models are used to enhance the resolution of medical images. CNN and generative adversarial network have been used as super-resolution techniques to achieve high-resolution medical images. The analysis includes subjective and objective evaluations of different models on regions with or without fractures to compare them with our model. The third contribution involves applying different image analysis methods to X-ray images in order to detect fractures with the minimum amount of human intervention. By using entropy and intensity, we have also attempted to identify regions of interest that have a higher probability of having fractures. We also evaluate the effect of super-resolution technique on the saliency map with and without fractures. Lastly, we present image-to-image mapping by using variational autoencoders and generative adversarial networks to reduce the cost of diagnosis and medical images retrievals. We have attempted to map X-ray images to MRIs in this section in order to fuse the high diagnostic information existing in MRIs, for enhancing the matched X-ray images

Morphology of Rat Hippocampal CA1 Neurons Following Modified Two and Four-Vessels Global Ischemia Models

Background: An appropriate animal model of ischemia stroke is essential for evaluation of different therapeutic methods. Two and four-vessel global ischemia models are one of the most common types of transient cerebral ischemia. Objectives: In this study, the morphology of rat hippocampal CA1 neurons in modified models of two and four-vessel ischemia and reperfusion were evaluated. Materials and Methods: In this study, 20 Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. In group 2 and 3, both common carotid arteries were occluded for 10 minutes in either 3 or 24 hours of reperfusions, respectively. In group 4 and 5, both common carotid and vertebral arteries were occluded for 10 minutes in either 3 or 24 hours of reperfusions, respectively. Group 1 as control, underwent the whole surgery without any arteries occlusion. Hippocampi of the rats in all groups were processed and tissue sections were stained using the Nissl method. The morphology of CA1 neurons were studied under a light microscope and compared different groups. Results: In all groups ischemic changes were apparently observed in hippocampus CA1 neurons. In two-vessel occlusion model, after 3 and 24 hours of reperfusions, ischemic cells accounted for 14.9% and 23.2%, respectively. In four-vessel occlusion model, after 3 and 24 hours of reperfusions, ischemic cells accounted for 7.6% and 44.9% (P < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusions: Modified four-vessel occlusion model resulted in significant ischemic changes after 24 hours of reperfusion in CA1 neurons of rat hippocampus

Bearing Capacity Of Open-Cut Coal-Mine Backfill Materials

Surface mining is common practice in most countries that produce black coal. Ther operations are subject to stringent regulations and requirements aimed at reducing the environemental impact and creating stable, self-sustaining land that can be put to later productive use. Where such land is used for recrational, industrial or residential use, problems may occur because of excessive or differential settlement or inadequate bearing capacity. Previously mined rock is the most frequently used material in backfilling open pits. Because these rocks are disturbed first by mining and then by backfilling and environmental processes, their geomechanical properties change. Knowing how these materials are likely to behave is a prerequisite for predicting settlement and for any analytical, quantitative or predictive study of rehabilitated land. The main subjects of this investigation are the the compressibility and bearing capacity of open cut coal mine backfill of different ages. Laboratory tests were used to determine the basic strength and deformation properties of sandstone and claystone. In situ plate-bearing tests were used to assess the ability of backfill material to support load

Neuroprotective Effects of Oxytocin Hormone after an Experimental Stroke Model and the Possible Role of Calpain-1

Background Different mechanisms will be activated during ischemic stroke. Calpain proteases play a pivotal role in neuronal death after ischemia damage through apoptosis. Anti-apoptotic activities of the oxytocin (OT) in different ischemic tissues were reported in previous studies. Recently, a limited number of studies have noted the protective effects of OT in the brain. In the present study, the neuroprotective potential of OT in an animal model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and the possible role of calpain-1 in the penumbra region were assessed. Methods Adult male Wistar rats underwent 1 hour of tMCAO and were treated with nasal administration of OT. After 24 hours of reperfusion, infarct size was evaluated by triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting were used to examine the expression of calpain-1. Nissl staining was performed for brain tissue morphology evaluation. Results OT reduced the infarct volume of the cerebral cortex and striatum compared with the ischemia control group significantly (P < .05). Calpain-1 overexpression, which was caused by ischemia, decreased after OT administration (P < .05). The number of pyknotic nuclei in neurons increased dramatically in the ischemic area and OT attenuated the apoptosis of neurons in the penumbra region (P < .01). Conclusion We provided evidence for the neuroprotective role of OT after tMCAO through calpain-1 attenuation. Key Words Stroke tMCAO calpain-1 oxytoci

Nanophotonic Neural Probes for in vivo Light Sheet Imaging

We present implantable silicon neural probes with nanophotonic waveguide routing networks and grating emitters for light sheet imaging. Fluorescein beam profiles, fluorescent bead imaging, and fluorescence brain imaging in vivo are presented

Nanophotonic Neural Probes for in vivo Light Sheet Imaging

We present implantable silicon neural probes with nanophotonic waveguide routing networks and grating emitters for light sheet imaging. Fluorescein beam profiles, fluorescent bead imaging, and fluorescence brain imaging in vivo are presented

Beam-Steering Nanophotonic Phased-Array Neural Probes

We demonstrate the first implantable nanophotonic neural probes with integrated silicon nitride phased arrays. Coherent beam-steering is achieved in brain tissue by wavelength tuning. Beam profiles, optogenetic stimulation, and functional imaging are validated in vitro

Strong protective effect of the APOL1 p.N264K variant against G2-associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and kidney disease

African Americans have a significantly higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease, especially focal segmental glomerulosclerosis -, than European Americans. Two coding variants (G1 and G2) in the APOL1 gene play a major role in this disparity. While 13% of African Americans carry the high-risk recessive genotypes, only a fraction of these individuals develops FSGS or kidney failure, indicating the involvement of additional disease modifiers. Here, we show that the presence of the APOL1 p.N264K missense variant, when co-inherited with the G2 APOL1 risk allele, substantially reduces the penetrance of the G1G2 and G2G2 high-risk genotypes by rendering these genotypes low-risk. These results align with prior functional evidence showing that the p.N264K variant reduces the toxicity of the APOL1 high-risk alleles. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the mechanisms of APOL1-associated nephropathy, as well as for the clinical management of individuals with high-risk genotypes that include the G2 allele

Implementation of international financial reporting standard's among BRICS countries

The main objective of the article is to study International Financial Reporting Standard's implementation among BRICS countries. Sample of BRICS countries in both adopting and converging process, BRICS is the acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. A questionnaire designed based on extracted data which is given directly through the IASB web site to find out the rate of implementation of International Financial Reporting Standard's among BRICS countries and its reliability tested by using Cronbach's Alpha. According to our finding we absorbed that two country are in convergence process means India and China and tree countries are already adopted like Russia, Brazil and South Africa it means 60 in adoption and 40 in convergence

The role of service quality and relationship marketing in hospitality industry

The competitive nature of hospitality industry makes it imperative for operators to constantly seek new ways to improve their services, as well as map out strategies to provide memorable experience for their patrons. In order to keep abreast of the current and future needs of the ever-evolving industry, and respond to the demands of increasingly sophisticated guests, innovation and creativity seems crucial in maintaining a competitive edge in hospitality industry. This study tries to examine the effect of service quality and relationship marketing on customer satisfaction and loyalty to enhance the competitive edge of hospitality industry. As such after reviewing many literatures it is supposed this study could shed light into the establishment of successful framework for in-house restaurants, by taking into consideration and understanding the areas of consumer perception, customer satisfaction and loyalty in this industry