A fully CNN based fingerprint recognition system

In this paper, a fully cellular neural networks (CNN) based fingerprint recognition system is introduced. The system includes a preprocessing phase where the input fingerprint image is enhanced and a recognition phase where the enhanced fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprints in the database. Both preprocessing and recognition phases are realized by means of CNN approaches. A novel application of skeletonization method is used to perform ridgeline thinning which improves the quality of the extracted lines for further processing, and hence increases the overall system performance

Linear-nonequilibrium thermodynamics theory for coupled heat and mass transport

Linear-nonequilibrium thermodynamics (LNET) has been used to express the entropy generation and dissipation functions representing the true forces and flows for heat and mass transport in a multicomponent fluid. These forces and flows are introduced into the phenomenological equations to formulate the coupling phenomenon between heat and mass flows. The degree of the coupling is also discussed. In the literature such coupling has been formulated incompletely and sometimes in a confusing manner. The reason for this is the lack of a proper combination of LNET theory with the phenomenological theory. The LNET theory involves identifying the conjugated flows and forces that are related to each other with the phenomenological coefficients that obey the Onsager relations. In doing so, the theory utilizes the dissipation function or the entropy generation equation derived from the Gibbs relation. This derivation assumes that local thermodynamic equilibrium holds for processes not far away from the equilibrium. With this assumption we have used the phenomenological equations relating the conjugated flows and forces defined by the dissipation function of the irreversible transport and rate process. We have expressed the phenomenological equations with the resistance coefficients that are capable of reflecting the extent of the interactions between heat and mass flows. We call this the dissipation-phenomenological equation (DPE) approach, which leads to correct expression for coupled processes, and for the second law analysis

The spectral shift function and Levinson's theorem for quantum star graphs

We consider the Schr\"odinger operator on a star shaped graph with $n$ edges joined at a single vertex. We derive an expression for the trace of the difference of the perturbed and unperturbed resolvent in terms of a Wronskian. This leads to representations for the perturbation determinant and the spectral shift function, and to an analog of Levinson's formula

Effects of user experience and method in the inflation of endotracheal tube pilot balloon on cuff pressure

Context: Endotracheal tube cuff pressure (ETCP) is recommended to be maintained between 20.30 cmH2O limits. While insufficient inflation of ETC may cause aspirations, over.inflation of it may lead to damage in tracheal epithelium.Aims: We planned to investigate the effects of user experience and cuff pressure inflation method differences following endotracheal tube cuff pressure and complaints about it.Patients and Methods: Two hundred and fifty patients planned for general anaesthesia were included in this study. ETC was inflated by users with different experience according to leakage or pilot balloon palpation techniques. ETCPs were measured by manometer at three periods (5 and 60 minutes after endotracheal intubation, and before extubation). Complaints about it were recorded in post anaesthetic care unit and 24 hours postoperatively.Results: Though we found experience of user had significant effect on the ETCP regulations, we observed inflation methods did not have any effect. However we found ETCP was higher than normal range with experienced users. A correlation was observed between cuff pressure and anaesthesia duration with postoperative complaints.Conclusions: Our study concluded that the methods used do not have any significant advantage over one another. While ETC inflated at normal pressure increases as userfs experience increases, experience alone is not enough in adjusting ETCP. A manometer should be used in routine inflation of ETC instead of conventional methods. CP and anaesthesia duration have correlations with some postoperative complaints.Key words: Endotracheal tube cuff pressure, experience of user, inflation method

The relationship between serum bilirubin level with interleukin.6, interleukin.10 and mortality scores in patients with sepsis

Context: Bilirubin has been shown to influence the mechanisms of both apoptosis and inflammation.Aims: The aim of the following study is to investigate the relationship between the serum bilirubin level with sepsis progression.Settings and Design: A total of 20 patients from intensive care unit were included for this study.Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: Patients diagnosed with sepsis according to the American College of Chest  Physicians/Society of Clinical Care Medicine consensus conference criteria (n = 10) and patients treated for various other diagnoses (n = 10). Blood samples were collected for both groups at the time of origin (defined as the time of diagnosis) and 24 and 48 h after diagnosis. Serum interleukin (IL).6, IL.10 and bilirubin levels were analyzed and compared. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II and sepsis related organ failure (SOFA) scores of the patients were also evaluated. Statistical Analysis Used: We used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows, version 17.0, SPSS Inc. 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago) for statistical analysis.Results: At all.time intervals, serum IL.6, IL.10 and total, direct and  indirect serum bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the sepsis group (P < 0.05); APACHE II and SOFA scores were also significantly higher. Both SOFA scores and serum IL.10 levels were positively correlated with bilirubin levels 24 h after diagnosis (P < 0.05, r = .0.76).Conclusions: Although levels of bilirubin and other associated parameters were higher for the sepsis group, only SOFA score and bilirubin levels were correlated. Because bilirubin is already a SOFA parameter, this correlation was not considered as clinically significant.Key words: Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation, bilirubin, interleukin.6, interleukin.10, sepsi

Wavelet transform based new interpolation technique for satellite image resolution enhancement

In this research paper, we propose a new interpolation technique based on the Stationary Wavelet Transform (SWT) and iterative back projection (IBP) for satellite images. Firstly the low resolution image is interpolated by using bicubic interpolation and then decomposed into different subband images by SWT. Each subband is decimated to four lower low resolution images. The four low resolution images are interpolated and registered by using bicubic interpolation and IBP respectively. Inverse SWT (ISWT) is used to generate a Super-resolved output image. The proposed interpolation technique has been tested on several remote sensing images. The quantitative PSNR and SSIM results as well as the visual results show the superiority of the proposed interpolation technique over the other interpolation and image resolution enhancement techniques. For one of the images the PSNR of the proposed method has achieved 3.84dB, 2.11dB, and 1.1dB more improvements than bicubic interpolation, Irani and Peleg technique, and Wavlet Zero Padding technique respectively

Asymptotic behaviour of dam break flow for small times

Two dimensional impulsive flow of a fluid is studied within the potential flow theory. Initially the fluid is at rest and is held on one side of a vertical plate. The plate is withdrawn suddenly and gravity driven flow of the fluid starts. Attention is paid to the singular behaviour of the velocity field at the bottom point, where the vertical free surface meets the rigid bottom. The linear problem is solved by the Fourier series method. An inner region solution is found using Mellin transform at the bottom point. The jet formation is observed at the bottom point. Also the discontinuity at the upper corner point is dealt with Lagrangian variables. For the second order outer problem, domain decomposition method is used. Comparison of the shapes of the free surfaces near the upper corner point with leading and second order solutions shows that the second order outer solution outer makes a larger difference in the vertical free surface than in the horizontal portion, compared with leading order solution.The complete picture of the shapes of the free surfaces using Lagrangian description for the upper part and Eulerian description for the bottom part at the second order is obtained

Comparison of anaesthetic cost in open and laparoscopic appendectomy

Context: Appendectomy is generally conducted as open or by laparoscopic surgical techniques under general anesthesia.Aims: This study aims to compare the anesthetic costs of the patients, who underwent open or laparoscopicappendectomy under general anesthesia.Settings and Design: The design is retrospective and records of 379 patients who underwent open or laparoscopicappendectomy under general anesthesia, falling under the category of I‑III risk group according to the American Societyof Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification between the years 2011 and 2013, and aged 18-77.Subjects and Methods: Open (Group I) or laparoscopic (Group II) appendectomy operation under general anesthesiawere evaluated retrospectively by utilizing hospital automation and anesthesia observation records. This study evaluatedthe anesthesia time of the patients and total costs (Turkish Lira ₺, US dollar $) of anesthetic agents used (induction,maintenance), necessary medical materials (connecting line, endotracheal tube, airway, humidifier, branule, aspirationprobe), and intravenously administered fluids were evaluated.Statistical Analysis Used: We used Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS version 17.0) forstatistical analysis.Results: Of the patients, 237 were males (62.53$) in Group I and 83.09 ± 26.85₺ (41.29 ± 13.34$) inGroup II (P > 0.05). A correlation was observed between cost and operation times (P = 0.002, r = 0.158).Conclusions: Although a statistical difference was not established in this study in terms of time and costs inappendectomy operations conducted as open and laparoscopically, changes may occur in time in market conditionsof drugs, patent rights, legal regulations, and prices. Therefore, we believe that it would be beneficial to update andrevise cost analyses from time to time.Keywords: Cost, cost comparison laparoscopic appendectomy, open appendectom

Universal behavior of localization of residue fluctuations in globular proteins

Localization properties of residue fluctuations in globular proteins are studied theoretically by using the Gaussian network model. Participation ratio for each residue fluctuation mode is calculated. It is found that the relationship between participation ratio and frequency is similar for all globular proteins, indicating a universal behavior in spite of their different size, shape, and architecture.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev.