MRI Image Segmentation Using Active Contour and Fuzzy C-Means Algorithm

Interpretation of MRI images is difficult due to inherent noise and inhomogeneity. Segmentation is considered as vitally important step in medical image analysis and classification. Several methods are employed for medical image segmentation such as clustering method, thresholding method, region growing etc. In this paper, attention has been focused on clustering method such as Fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm that has been widely used for medical image segmentation. This algorithm was combined then with Active Contour method. Active Contours have been widely used as attractive image segmentation methods because they produce sub regions with continuous boundaries. The algorithms have been implemented and tested on MRI images. The comparison is made with existing conventional Fuzzy C-means method. Experimental results show that the proposed hybrid method significantly improves the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Mean Squared Error (MSE) for medical image segmentation

Effect of Solvent on of 4- Phenyl-7-Hydroxy Coumarin - P –Chloro Anilide

The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of 4- phenyl-7-hydroxy Coumarin - p-chloroanilide have been reported in various polar and non polar solvents. The increase in solvent polarity shows the increase in absorption and emission wave length i.e ???* transition. This indicates the value of excited state dipole moments can’t be calculated using the solvatochromic data. The results are explained in terms of bathochromomic-shift, and possibility of hydrogen bonding

Disaster communication in managing vulnerabilities

The management of information among various stakeholders in natural and human induced disasters is fundamental to the mitigation and effective disaster-relieve operations. Disasters always happen abruptly, and often with different levels of severity, posing a major challenge for effective information exchanges and coordination. Extended droughts, trans-boundary haze, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, landslides, volcanic activities and severe weathers have created havoc and displaced populations in many parts of this continent. These events have given rise to the realization that a more concerted disaster management strategy is needed to manage disasters more effectively. The paper attempts to uncover the emerging patterns in disaster communication. By drawing from experiences in disasters, especially in Asia, the paper firstly conceptualizes disaster, vulnerabilities and disaster communication, in the broader literature on disaster. Secondly, it examines how the emerging features, such as disaster communication and coordination mechanism, the role of social media and technology, reliability of communication systems, social capital and cultural knowledge can assist first responders, care givers and disaster related agencies in helping disaster victims more effectively

Effect of Formaldehyde to Phenol Ratio in Phenolic Beads on Pore Structure, Adsorption and Mechanical Properties of Activated Carbon Spheres

Phenolic beads (PBs) prepared from different formaldehyde to phenol (F/P) molar ratios were used as polymeric precursor for activated carbon. Activated carbon spheres (ACSs) have been produced from PBs via the physical activation process using carbon dioxide (CO2) as activating agent at 950 °C for different burn-off. The prepared ACSs were investigated for nitrogen adsorption, surface morphology and compressive strength by means of BET surface area analyser, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and carbon and sphere tester techniques. The results indicated that the effects of F/P ratio observed, especially variation in the adsorption and mechanical properties. It was found that ACSs obtained from F/P ratio one showed the superior adsorption properties, possessed a high BET surface area in a range of 836 m2 g-1 to 3694 m2 g-1 with high pore volume (0.47 cm3 g-1 - 2.47 cm3 g-1) and 73-97 per cent microporosity. The BET surface area and pore volume increased, while the microporosity gradually decreased, with increasing the extent of burn-off. Compressive strength decreased with increasing F/P ratio as well as the extent of burn-off. ACSs upheld improved compressive strength (from 160 N mm-2 to 9 N mm-2) than those obtained from F/P ratio 2 and 3 in PBs. SEM studies of ACSs demonstrated well developed pore structure

Image Segmentation Using Biogeography Based Optimization (BBO)

Image segmentation is an important problem in computer vision to completely understand the image for better results, i.e., identification of homogeneous regions in the image and has been the subject of considerable research for over the last three decades. Many algorithms have been elaborated for this purpose. This paper elaborates two algorithms one is global optimization method Biogeography Based optimization for automatically grouping the pixels of an color image into disjoint homogeneous regions and the other is clustering method Fuzzy K-means algorithm for reducing the computational complexity of image. And then comparison between both the techniques is calculated. In this purposed work these two algorithms are applied to image and performance is evaluated on the basis of computational time. Fuzzy K-means produces results which require more computational time than Biogeography based optimization. Therefore, comparison shows that Biogeography Based Optimization is more reliable and faster approach for image segmentation than Fuzzy K-means clustering algorithm

An Analysis of Iowa School Psychologists' Perceptions of Their Evaluators as a Basis for Developing a Performance Evaluation Model

xii, 91 leaves. Advisor: James R. Halvorsen.The Problem: The problem of this study was to analyze the perceptions of Iowa School psychologists about current as well as desired performance evaluators as a basis for developing a performance evaluation model. Procedure: A random sample of Iowa school psychologists responded to a questionnaire designed by the researcher. Sixteen performance criteria were selected based on job descriptions and role functions. They were asked to identify evaluators involved in evaluating them in each performance area at both current and desired levels. They were also asked to identify an evaluator who had major responsibility in evaluating them currently and the one they would desire to be their major evaluator. Differences between current and desired dispersion of evaluators were analyzed. Findings: Differences were found between current and desire dispersion of evaluators for fourteen out of sixteen performance areas. Data indicated that currently, the Supervisor of Psychological Services was the primary evaluator for all performance areas. The principal and school psychologist were involved in providing input. The psychologists desired the supervisor to be their primary evaluator for ten performance areas, and the prinicpal for the other six. They desired more involvement in the evaluation process themselves and also wanted the evaluators to seek input from consumers and peers. The Supervisor of Psychological Services was the desired major evaluator responsible for the composite evaluation. Conclusions: School psychologists perceived: (1) the supervisor to be responsible for composite evaluation, (2) the building principal's and their own involvement to be important, (3) that evaluators should solicit input from consumers and peers, and (4) the supervisor to be the primary evaluator for ten performance areas and the principal, for the other six. Recommendations: (1) Develop performance standards by involving psychologists, administrators and consumers,(2) Establish peer review procedures for quality control,(3) Gather evaluation data for each performance area as specified in the evaluation model,(4) Design an evaluation survey for securing consumer feedback, and (5) Conduct a follow-up study by involving school psychologists representing all fifty states

Analysis and Optimization of Ceramic Cutting Tool In Hard Turning of EN-31 Using Factorial Design

Manufacturers around the globe persistently looking for the cheapest and quality manufactured machined components to compete in the market. Good surface quality is desired for the proper functioning of the produced parts. The surface quality is influenced by cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut and many other parameters. In the present study attempt has been made to evaluate the performance of ceramic inserts during hard turning of EN-31 steel. The analysis of variance is applied to study the effect of cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut on Flank wear and surface roughness. Model is found to be statically significant using regression model, while feed and depth of cut are the factor affecting Flank wear and feed is dominating factors for surface roughness. The analysis of variance was used to analyze the input parameters and there interactions during machining. The developed model predicted response factor at 95% confidence level

Tracing the origins of Malaysia

THE famous announcement on May 27,1961 by Tunku Abdul Rahman, then the Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya, calling for forging closer political and economic cooperation between Malaya,Singapore,North Borneo,Brunei and Sarawak,is generally taken as the starting point for the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16,1963. The roots of the Malaysia scheme, however, go further back in time and were embedded in British plans hatched in 1942 for the decolonisation of South-East Asia in the post-Second World War period