Respiratory Motion Correction for Compressively Sampled Free Breathing Cardiac MRI Using Smooth l

Transformed domain sparsity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has recently been used to reduce the acquisition time in conjunction with compressed sensing (CS) theory. Respiratory motion during MR scan results in strong blurring and ghosting artifacts in recovered MR images. To improve the quality of the recovered images, motion needs to be estimated and corrected. In this article, a two-step approach is proposed for the recovery of cardiac MR images in the presence of free breathing motion. In the first step, compressively sampled MR images are recovered by solving an optimization problem using gradient descent algorithm. The L1-norm based regularizer, used in optimization problem, is approximated by a hyperbolic tangent function. In the second step, a block matching algorithm, known as Adaptive Rood Pattern Search (ARPS), is exploited to estimate and correct respiratory motion among the recovered images. The framework is tested for free breathing simulated and in vivo 2D cardiac cine MRI data. Simulation results show improved structural similarity index (SSIM), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and mean square error (MSE) with different acceleration factors for the proposed method. Experimental results also provide a comparison between k-t FOCUSS with MEMC and the proposed method

Polyester Usage in Manufacturing of Electrical and Mechanical Products and Assemblies

This chapter focuses on the processes in which polyester is usually used for the manufacturing of mechanical components and assemblies. Various methods of manufacturing these products are mentioned in this chapter. These methods include wet layup method, filament winding, pultrusion, vacuum bagging and autoclave curing, resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Various production levels and properties can be achieved by polyester resin using abovementioned processes. Each process has its own benefits and disadvantages, which are discussed in this chapter. Furthermore, the use of polyester in making electrical insulation is also discussed in the chapter. Advantages and disadvantages of each impregnation technique are also explained

Antihyperlipidaemic Efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi in Albino Rabbits

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antihyperlipidaemic efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi (L) Sprague, seed (Ajowan) powder in albino rabbits. Hyperlipidaemia was induced with butter ad libitum and oral intubation of cholesterol 400 mg/kg body weight. Simvastatin, (Tablet survive®) was used as a synthetic cholesterol lowering drug. The results suggest that 2 g/kg T. ammi seed powder produced hypolipidaemic activity, rendering 49%, 53%, 71% and 63% reduction in total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, respectively. However, at this dosage level 62% increase in the value of HDL-cholesterol was induced by T. ammi seed powder. Nonetheless, 0.5 g/kg and 1 g/kg T. ammi seed powder did not show antihyperlipidaemic activity. T. ammi seed powder at the rate of 2 g/kg and simvastatin (0.6 mg/kg body weight) were equally effective in treating hyperlipidaemia in albino rabbits. Moreover, this dosage level also significantly reduced the cholesterol content of liver tissue. It can be anticipated that the lipid lowering mechanism may involve enhanced removal or catabolism of lipoproteins, inhibition of HMG COA reductase, and/or inhibition of lysosomal lipid hydrolytic enzymes secreted by the liver

Printed closely spaced antennas loaded by linear stubs in a MIMO style for portable wireless electronic devices

This article belongs to the Special Issue Transmit and Receive Techniques for Next Generation Massive MIMO Systems.An easy-to-manufacture and efficient four-port-printed Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna operating across an ultra-wideband (UWB) region (2.9–13.6 GHz) is proposed and investigated here. The phenomenon of the polarization diversity is used to improve the isolation between MIMO antenna elements by deploying four orthogonal antenna elements. The proposed printed antenna (40 × 40 × 1.524 mm3) is made compact by optimizing the circular-shaped radiating components via vertical stubs on top of the initial design to maximally reduce unwanted interaction while placing them together in proximity. The measurements of the prototype MIMO antennas corroborate the simulation performance. The findings are compared to the recent relevant works presented in the literature to show that the proposed antenna is suitable for UWB MIMO applications. The proposed printed UWB MIMO antenna could be a good fit for compact portable wireless electronic devices.This project received funding from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant 801538. Furthermore, this work was partially supported by the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP-2021/58), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A Metamaterial-Based Series Connected Rectangular Patch Antenna Array for UHF RFID Readers

Abstract-In this paper, a new metamaterial-based printed antenna for UHF Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Readers is presented. This antenna is designed such that several can be connected in series to provide local RFID coverage. In this work, simulation and measurements are shown to agree very well and that confined UHF communication can be achieved with this antenna. Furthermore, the geometry of the new metamaterialbased UHF RFID antenna is altered and the resonant frequency is computed using simulations. It is shown that by varying certain geometrical features of the array, the operating frequency can be increased and decreased in a predictable manner

Planar SIW leaky wave antenna with electronically reconfigurable E-and H-plane scanning

This paper reports on a novel technique of switching radiation characteristics electronically between E-and H-planes of planar Substrate Integrated Waveguide Leaky Wave Antennas (SIW-LWAs). The leaky wave mode is achieved through increasing the pitch of bounding metallic via posts on one side of SIW transmission section. The radiation switching is achieved by extending the top and bottom metallic planes to a distance of 1 mm along the leakage side. The extended section acts as a parallel plate section which is conveniently connected or disconnected from the leaking side of SIW through PIN diodes. The ‘ON’ state of PIN diodes extends the metal guides and results in the H-plane leakage whereas ‘OFF’ state of PIN diodes truncates the extended metal earlier and alter the leakage line boundary condition towards E-plane. The whole concept is validated by series of simulations followed by the realization and testing of the SIW-LWA. The measured radiation pattern scans about 54° in the E-plane between 10.0 GHz to 11.7 GHz, and 58° in the H-plane from 9 GHz to 10.6 GHz. The proposed topology is a suitable candidate for remote sensing and airborne applications

Nephroprotective Effects of Ficus religiosa Linn (Peepal Plant) Stem Bark against Isoniazid and Rifampicin Induced nephrotoxicity in Albino Rabbits

Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infection that requires at least six to nine months treatment. Long term treatment of TB may produce severe toxic effects to organs such as kidney, liver, gastrointestinal and blood vascular systems. The present study was designed to evaluate the nephroprotective effects of Ficus religiosa (peepal plant) stem bark against the toxic effects induced by anti TB drugs rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH). For this purpose, 40 rabbits were divided into five groups (n=8). Group 1 was kept as control without drugs. Group 2 was given anti TB drugs orally for 28 days while groups 3, 4 and 5 were given silymarin, ethanolic ficus extract, and water ficus extract along with anti TB drugs orally for 28 days respectively. Blood samples were taken before drug administration and at 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days post treatment for biochemical and drug analysis. Kidney tissues were taken for histopathological studies. Results have indicated that Mean±SEM blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was increased significantly (P<0.05) in RIF + INH-treated rabbits (45.94±2.15) as compared to control group (27.86±0.22). The administration of silymarin reduced BUN (33.17±1.87) towards normal. The administration of alcohol extract of F. religiosa further reduced this BUN level (32.15±1.67), almost close to normal value while its hydro extract also reduced the BUN level (34.85±2.85) significantly but less than alcoholic extract of F. religiosa and silymarin. Similar findings were found with creatinine. Kidney of RIF + INH-treated rabbits showed severe degree of infiltration in the glomerulas without renal tubular space between the glomerulas when compared to normal group. Drug analysis with HPLC revealed that drug concentration in plasma coincides with the toxicity of RIF and INH. In conclusion, the alcoholic as well as water extracts of F. religiosa have shown potent nephroprotective effects when administered along with the RIF+INH and have shown results similar to that of silymarin

Disposition Kinetics and Optimal Dosage of Ciprofloxacin in Healthy Domestic Ruminant Species

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the disposition kinetics and optimal dosages of ciprofloxacin in healthy domestic ruminant species including adult female buffalo, cow, sheep and goat. The drug was given as a single intramuscular dose of 5 mg/kg. The plasma concentrations of the drug were determined with HPLC and pharmacokinetic variables were determined. The biological half-life (t1/2 β was longer in cows (3.25 ± 0.46 h) followed by intermediate values in buffaloes (3.05 ± 0.20 h) and sheep (2.93 ± 0.45 h) and shorter in goats (2.62 ± 0.39 h). The volume of distribution (Vd) in buffaloes was 1.09 ± 0.06 l/kg, cows 1.24 ± 0.16 l/kg, sheep 2.89 ± 0.30 l/kg and goats 3.76 ± 0.92 l/kg. Total body clearance (ClB) expressed in l/h/kg was minimum in buffaloes 0.25 ± 0.02 followed by values in cows 0.31 ± 0.02 and sheep 0.75 ± 0.04 and maximum in goats 1.09 ± 0.11. An optimal dosage regimen for 12-h interval consisted of 5.17, 5.62, 6.54 and 6.10 mg/kg body weight as priming and 4.84, 5.37, 6.26 and 5.91 mg/kg body weight as maintenance intramuscular dose in buffalo, cow, sheep and goat, respectively. The manufacturers of ciprofloxacin have claimed 5 mg/kg dose to be repeated after 24 h. However, the investigated dosage regimen may be repeated after 12 h to maintain MIC at the end of the dosage interval. Therefore, it is imperative that an optimal dosage regimen be based on the disposition kinetics data determined in the species and environment in which a drug is to be employed clinically

Molecular epidemiology of hcv among health care workers of khyber pakhtunkhwa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies of the molecular epidemiology and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in health care workers (HCWs) of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region are scarce. Lack of awareness about the transmission of HCV and regular blood screening is contributing a great deal towards the spread of hepatitis C. This study is an attempt to investigate the prevalence of HCV and its possible association with both occupational and non-occupational risk factors among the HCWs of Peshawar.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Blood samples of 824 HCWs, aged between 20-59 years were analysed for anti-HCV antibodies, HCV RNA and HCV genotypes by Immunochromatographic tests and PCR. All relevant information was obtained from the HCWs with the help of a questionnaire. The study revealed that 4.13% of the HCWs were positive for HCV antibodies, while HCV RNA was detected in 2.79% of the individuals. The most predominant HCV genotype was 3a and 2a.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A program for education about occupational risk factors and regular blood screening must be implemented in all healthcare setups of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in order to help reduce the burden of HCV infection.</p

Optimasi Portofolio Resiko Menggunakan Model Markowitz MVO Dikaitkan dengan Keterbatasan Manusia dalam Memprediksi Masa Depan dalam Perspektif Al-Qur`an

Risk portfolio on modern finance has become increasingly technical, requiring the use of sophisticated mathematical tools in both research and practice. Since companies cannot insure themselves completely against risk, as human incompetence in predicting the future precisely that written in Al-Quran surah Luqman verse 34, they have to manage it to yield an optimal portfolio. The objective here is to minimize the variance among all portfolios, or alternatively, to maximize expected return among all portfolios that has at least a certain expected return. Furthermore, this study focuses on optimizing risk portfolio so called Markowitz MVO (Mean-Variance Optimization). Some theoretical frameworks for analysis are arithmetic mean, geometric mean, variance, covariance, linear programming, and quadratic programming. Moreover, finding a minimum variance portfolio produces a convex quadratic programming, that is minimizing the objective function ðð¥with constraintsð ð 𥠥 ðandð´ð¥ = ð. The outcome of this research is the solution of optimal risk portofolio in some investments that could be finished smoothly using MATLAB R2007b software together with its graphic analysis