Automatic pelvis segmentation from x-ray images of a mouse model

The automatic detection and quantification of skeletal structures has a variety of different applications for biological research. Accurate segmentation of the pelvis from X-ray images of mice in a high-throughput project such as the Mouse Genomes Project not only saves time and cost but also helps achieving an unbiased quantitative analysis within the phenotyping pipeline. This paper proposes an automatic solution for pelvis segmentation based on structural and orientation properties of the pelvis in X-ray images. The solution consists of three stages including pre-processing image to extract pelvis area, initial pelvis mask preparation and final pelvis segmentation. Experimental results on a set of 100 X-ray images showed consistent performance of the algorithm. The automated solution overcomes the weaknesses of a manual annotation procedure where intra- and inter-observer variations cannot be avoided

Automatic Spine Curvature Estimation from X-ray Images of a Mouse Model

Automatic segmentation and quantification of skeletal structures has a variety of applications for biological research. Although solutions for good quality X-ray images of human skeletal structures are in existence in recent years, automatic solutions working on poor quality X-ray images of mice are rare. This paper proposes a fully automatic solution for spine segmentation and curvature quantification from X-ray images of mice. The proposed solution consists of three stages, namely preparation of the region of interest, spine segmentation, and spine curvature quantification, aiming to overcome technical difficulties in processing the X-ray images. We examined six different automatic measurements for quantifying the spine curvature through tests on a sample data set of 100 images. The experimental results show that some of the automatic measures are very close to and consistent with the best manual measurement results by annotators. The test results also demonstrate the effectiveness of the curvature quantification produced by the proposed solution in distinguishing abnormally shaped spines from the normal ones with accuracy up to 98.6%

Chinese Classical Formula Sijunzi Decoction and Chronic Atrophic Gastritis: Evidence for Treatment Approach?

Objective. This aim is to evaluate the effect of Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). Methods. We performed searches in seven databases. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SJZD with standard medical care or inactive intervention for CAG were enrolled. Combined therapy of SJZD plus conventional therapies compared with conventional therapies alone was also retrieved. The primary outcome included the incidence of gastric cancer and the improvement of atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia based on the gastroscopy and pathology. The secondary outcomes were Helicobacter pylori clearance rate, quality of life, and adverse event/adverse drug reaction. Results. Six RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The research quality was low in the trials. For the overall effect rate, pooled analysis from 4 trials showed that modified SJZD plus conventional medications exhibited a significant improvement (OR = 4.86; 95% CI: 2.80 to 8.44; P < 0.00001) and without significant heterogeneity compared with the conventional medications alone. None reported the adverse effect. Conclusions. Modified SJZD combined with conventional western medicines appears to have benefits for CAG. Due to the limited number and methodological flaw, the beneficial and harmful effects of SJZD for CAG could not be identified. More high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm the results

Life Cycle Environmental Impact of Houston METRO System – Evaluation of Electric Alternatives

In the Greater Houston Area, mobile sources (on-and off-road vehicles) contribute the largest share of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and second-highest share of volatile organic (VOC) emissions. The Houston METRO system is a key element in Houston\u27s infrastructure that can be expanded to lower emissions of criteria air pollutants (CAPs) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) and improve regional air quality. Currently, there is no comparative study for relative emissions and environmental impacts between passenger automobiles and METRO routes in Houston. Our research addressed this critical gap and developed environmental life cycle assessment for conventional diesel buses, diesel hybrid buses, and alternative electric buses in Houston using the GREET model. The life cycle GHG emissions of electric buses are slightly lower than the other two types of buses. However, all the other major emissions such as CO, NOx, PM10, PM2.5, VOCs, SOx, N2O, CH4, black carbon and primary organic carbon associated with electric buses are higher than diesel buses, thus causing higher environmental cost of electric buses than diesel buses. The life cycle costs of buses are very sensitive to future diesel and electricity prices. The results from this project would serve as a guiding framework to evaluate the effects of the decision to expand the METRO system and estimate the contribution of the METRO system in realizing the Greater Houston Area\u27s environmental objectives

Monte Carlo Simulations of Nuclear Fuel Burnup

In the operation of a nuclear power plant, it is very important to determine the time evolution of material composition and radionuclide inventory during the entire operation of the plant. In the experiments, the Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended (MCNPX) code was found to be accurate in predicting the uranium fuel depletion, the plutonium production and the buildup of most of the fission products in a nuclear reactor. The goal in this chapter is to analyze the effect of different nuclear fuel grades on the total radioactivity of the reactor core by employing nuclear burnup calculations for the three different fuels: mixed oxide fuel (MOX), uranium oxide fuel (UOX) and commercially enriched uranium (CEU), utilizing simulations with MCNPX code. The calculated results indicate that there is a buildup of plutonium isotopes for UOX and CEU, whereas there is a decline in the plutonium radioisotopes for MOX fuel with burnup time. The study of reactor neutronic parameters showed UOX fuel performs better relative to MOX and CEU. Zircaloy, with low thermal neutron absorption cross-section and high thermal conductivity, produced better results for the effective multiplication factor Keff and hence proved to be a much more effective clad material

Optimizing Bacillus circulans Xue-113168 for biofertilizer production and its effects on crops

In this study, Bacillus circulans Xue-113168 biofertilizer was produced through solid state fermentation processes using food waste and feldspar. Results confirmed that solid state fermentation has considerable advantages compared to complex process (solid-state and bio-bleach). The control of pH, temperature, and humidity effectively led to the formation of 2×109 cfu/g spore and dissolution of potassium at a rate of 41.53%. Compound microbial fertilizer (CMF), formulated by humic acid and K2HPO4 with biofertilizer, has a quick and durable effect. CMF increases the yield of rapeseeds by 75 to 89%, provides higher vitamin C and reduces nitrate in leaf. Yields of selenium-enriched jujube and jujube increased, respectively, in the CMF compared to the matrix control; rates of anthracnose and rust diseases also decreased. Furthermore, our results showed that CMF improved soil properties, such as organic matter, NPK content from 8.83 to 16.16 kg hm2, and reduced chemical fertilizer from 25 to 11%, respectively. For convenient medium, robust process and good effect, CMF is suitable for potassium deficiency and undeveloped arable land resources.Keywords: compound microbial fertilizer, Bacillus circulans Xue-113168, solid-state fermentation (SSF), process, optimiz

Association of Polyethylene Glycol Solubility with Emerging Membrane Technologies, Wastewater Treatment, and Desalination

Forward osmosis (FO) and membrane distillation (MD) are two emerging membrane technologies, and both have advantages of low membrane fouling, ability to use for highly saline desalination, and feasibility to integrate with a low-grade heat source like solar collector. Because polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a flexible, water-soluble polymer, it is an essential material used for membrane fabrication and enhancement of membrane properties. Low-molecular-weight PEG sometimes is used as pore constrictor and pore former for developing MD membranes and support layer of FO membranes. Due to the affinity of PEG chains to water molecules, PEG, its derivatives, and copolymers have been widely used in the fabrication/modification of FO and MD membranes, which are currently applied to bioseparation, wastewater treatment, and desalination in academia and industry at the pilot scale. This chapter covers direct PEG and its membrane separation applications in wastewater treatment and desalination. The advancement of PEG in membrane science and engineering is reviewed and discussed comprehensively. We focus on the effectiveness of PEG on membrane antifouling and the stability of PEG-modified membranes when applied to wastewater treatment and desalination