Multiresolution analysis using wavelet, ridgelet, and curvelet transforms for medical image segmentation

Copyright @ 2011 Shadi AlZubi et al. This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.The experimental study presented in this paper is aimed at the development of an automatic image segmentation system for classifying region of interest (ROI) in medical images which are obtained from different medical scanners such as PET, CT, or MRI. Multiresolution analysis (MRA) using wavelet, ridgelet, and curvelet transforms has been used in the proposed segmentation system. It is particularly a challenging task to classify cancers in human organs in scanners output using shape or gray-level information; organs shape changes throw different slices in medical stack and the gray-level intensity overlap in soft tissues. Curvelet transform is a new extension of wavelet and ridgelet transforms which aims to deal with interesting phenomena occurring along curves. Curvelet transforms has been tested on medical data sets, and results are compared with those obtained from the other transforms. Tests indicate that using curvelet significantly improves the classification of abnormal tissues in the scans and reduce the surrounding noise

Electronic Devices Based on Purified Carbon Nanotubes Grown By High Pressure Decomposition of Carbon Monoxide

The excellent properties of transistors, wires, and sensors made from single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) make them promising candidates for use in advanced nanoelectronic systems. Gas-phase growth procedures such as the high pressure decomposition of carbon monoxide (HiPCO) method yield large quantities of small diameter semiconducting SWNTs, which are ideal for use in nanoelectronic circuits. As-grown HiPCO material, however, commonly contains a large fraction of carbonaceous impurities that degrade properties of SWNT devices. Here we demonstrate a purification, deposition, and fabrication process that yields devices consisting of metallic and semiconducting nanotubes with electronic characteristics vastly superior to those of circuits made from raw HiPCO. Source-drain current measurements on the circuits as a function of temperature and backgate voltage are used to quantify the energy gap of semiconducting nanotubes in a field effect transistor geometry. This work demonstrates significant progress towards the goal of producing complex integrated circuits from bulk-grown SWNT material.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Nature Material

Experiments with Podded Propulsors in Static Azimuthing Conditions

The paper presents a comprehensive experimental study of the variations of propulsive characteristics of puller and pusher podded propulsors in static azimuthing open water conditions. A custom designed six-component global dynamometer and a three-component pod dynamometer were used to measure the propulsive performance of a podded unit in pusher and puller configurations in a towing tank. The unit was tested to measure the forces on the whole unit in the three co-ordinate directions as well as thrust and torque of the propeller for a range of advance coefficients combined with the range of static azimuthing angles from +30° to –30° with 5° and 10° increments. The variations in propulsive performance of the unit with change of azimuthing angle and advance speed in the two configurations were examined. The results of the measurements are presented as changes of forces and moments of the propulsor unit with advance coefficients and azimuthing angles. The results illustrate that the axial and side forces and the steering moment are complex functions of the azimuthing angles both for puller and pusher propulsors

Effects of geometry variations on the performance of podded propulsors

This paper presents results and analyses of an experimental study into the effects of geometric parameters on the propulsive characteristics of puller and pusher podded propulsors in straight course open water conditions. Five geometric parameters were chosen for the current study and a design of experiment technique was used to design a series of 16 pods that combined the parameters. Tests on the 16 different pod-strut-propeller combinations in puller and pusher configurations were completed using a custom designed podded propeller test rig. The dynamometry consisted of a six-component global dynamometer and a three-component pod dynamometer. The test rig was used to measure the thrust and torque of the propellers, and forces and moments on the whole unit in the three orthogonal directions. The design of experiment analysis technique was then used to identify the most significant geometric parameters and interaction of parameters that affect propeller thrust, torque and efficiency as well as unit thrust and efficiency in both the puller and pusher configurations. An uncertainty analysis of the measurements is also presented

Effect of different sowing dates on yield of tomato genotypes

The experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Thakurgaon, Bangladesh during October 2009 to March 2010 to observe the effect of sowing dates on yield of tomato genotypes. Three sowing dates viz. October 1, October 15 and October 30 were considered as factor A and tomato variety viz., BARI Tomato-2, BARI Tomato-3, BARI Tomato-4, BARI Tomato-9 and BARI Hybrid Tomato-4 considered as factor B. The experiment was laid out in RCBD (Factorial) with three replications. Early flowering (52.40 days) as well as early fruit harvesting (119.13 days) was occurred in October 1 sowing, where as sowing on October 30 resulted in delayed flowering (71.73 days) and fruit harvesting (140.67 days), respectively. Number of fruits per plant was also the highest (27.40) in October 1 sowing and the lowest (13.73) was in October 30 sowing. Seed sowing of October 1 was found better in respect of yield (74.75 tha-1) compared to October 15 (58.55 tha-1) and October 30 (24.60 tha-1) sowing. Among the variety, BARI Tomat-2 produced the highest (68.12 tha-1) marketable yield followed by BARI Tomato-9 (56.16 tha-1) and BARI Tomato-3 while BARI Tomato-4 gave the lowest (36.91 tha-1) marketable yield. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v4i1.21090 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 4 (1): 40-43, June, 201

Cropping pattern based micronutrient application for wheat-mungbean-T. aman crop sequence under Tista Meander Floodplain soil at Rangpur

Intensification of agricultural land use coupled with cultivation of modern varieties has remarkably increased in Bangladesh. This in turn has resulted in deterioration of soil fertility, with emergence of macro- and micro-nutrient deficiency of crops. With this point in view, a study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different micronutrients on crop yield, and to determine the requirement of selected micronutrients for crops and cropping patterns in the Tista Meander Floodplain (AEZ 3). Experiments were conducted at BINA substation and farmers’ fields of Rangpur district within AEZ 3. In experiment 1, the field trials were done with six micronutrients (B, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe & Mo) designed in an additive manner. These elements were imposed to the first crop and their residual effects were monitored on the next two crops over the patterns: wheat-mungbean-T. aman. The rates of micronutrient application were 3 kg Zn, 2 kg B, 2 kg Cu, 3 kg Mn, 5 kg Fe and 1 kg Mo per hectare, added as fertilizers such as ZnSO4.7H2O, H3BO3, CuSO4.5H2O, MnCl2, FeSO4.7H2O and Na2MoO4, respectively. Other nutrients viz. N, P, K & S were applied at recommended rates to all plots; rationale was followed for the second and third crops. Intercultural operations were done whenever required. The results revealed that across the experimental sites, the crops were quite responsive to the added Zn and B. Positive effect of Cu was also noted in some cases. In the following year (expt. 2), two micronutrients, Zn and B were taken into the same cropping pattern and designed in a way to determine whether 1stcrop, 2ndcrop or 3rdcrop application is necessary to achieve satisfactory crop yield. The rates of Zn application were 0, 2, 4 & 6 kg ha–1, and the rates for B were 0, 1.5 and 3 kg ha–1. The results show that Zn application at 4 kg ha–1 coupled with B application at 1.5 kg ha–1 to the first crop can meet their requirement for the subsequent two crops in a pattern. The present study suggests that cropping pattern based field trials with Zn, B and Cu need to be done at farm level in the high cropping intensity areas of this country in order to determine micronutrient requirement of crop

Impact of diabetes on hospital admission and length of stay among a general population aged 45 year or more: A record linkage study

© 2015 Comino et al. Background: The increased prevalence of diabetes and its significant impact on use of health care services, particularly hospitals, is a concern for health planners. This paper explores the risk factors for all-cause hospitalisation and the excess risk due to diabetes in a large sample of older Australians. Methods: The study population was 263,482 participants in the 45 and Up Study. The data assessed were linked records of hospital admissions in the 12 months following completion of a baseline questionnaire. All cause and ambulatory care sensitive admission rates and length of stay were examined. The associations between demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and health and wellbeing and risk of hospitalisation were explored using zero inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression models adjusting for age and gender. The ratios of adjusted relative rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the excess risk due to diabetes. Results: Prevalence of diabetes was 9.0% (n = 23,779). Age adjusted admission rates for all-cause hospitalisation were 631.3 and 454.8 per 1,000 participant years and the mean length of stay was 8.2 and 7.1 days respectively for participants with and without diabetes. In people with and without diabetes, the risk of hospitalisation was associated with age, gender, household income, smoking, BMI, physical activity, and health and wellbeing. However, the increased risk of hospitalisation was attenuated for participants with diabetes who were older, obese, or had hypertension or hyperlipidaemia and enhanced for those participants with diabetes who were male, on low income, current smokers or who had anxiety or depression. Conclusions: This study is one of the few studies published to explore the impact of diabetes on hospitalisation in a large non-clinical population, the 45 and Up Study. The attenuation of risk associated with some factors is likely to be due to correlation between diabetes and factors such as age and obesity. The increased risk in association with other factors such as gender and low income in participants with diabetes is likely to be due to their synergistic influence on health status and the way services are accessed

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among women of child-bearing age in Lahore Pakistan, associating with lack of sun exposure and illiteracy

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D status is a key determinant of maternal and neonatal health. Deficiency has been reported to be common in Pakistani women, but information regarding environmental and genetic determinants of vitamin D status is lacking in this population. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among three groups of healthy women living in Lahore, Pakistan: university students, students or employees of Medrasas or Islamic Institutes, and employees working in office, hospital or domestic settings. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify environmental and genetic determinants of vitamin D status: polymorphisms in genes encoding the vitamin D receptor, vitamin D 25-hydroxylase enzyme CYP2R1 and vitamin D binding protein [DBP] were investigated. We also conducted analyses to identify determinants of body ache and bone pain in this population, and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of testing for hypocalcaemia and raised serum alkaline phosphatase to screen for vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: Of 215 participants, 156 (73 %) were vitamin D deficient (serum 25[OH]D <50 nmol/L). Risk of vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with illiteracy (adjusted OR 4.0, 95 % CI 1.03–15.52, P = 0.04), <30 min sun exposure per day (adjusted OR 2.13, 95 % CI 1.08–4.19, P = 0.02), sampling in January to March (adjusted OR 2.38, 95 % CI 1.20–4.70), P = 0.01) and lack of regular intake of multivitamins (adjusted OR 2.61, 95 % CI 1.32–5.16, p = 0.005). Participants with the GG genotype of the rs4588 polymorphism in the gene encoding vitamin D binding protein tended to have lower 25(OH)D concentrations than those with GT/TT genotypes (95 % CI for difference 22.7 to −0.13 nmol/L, P = 0.053). Vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with increased risk of body ache or bone pain (adjusted OR 4.43, 95 % CI 2.07 to 9.49, P = 0.001). Hypocalcaemia (serum calcium concentration ≤9.5 mg/dL) and raised alkaline phosphatase concentration (≥280 IU/L) had low sensitivity and very low specificity for identification of vitamin D deficiency. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common among healthy women of child-bearing age in Lahore, Pakistan: illiteracy, decreased sun exposure and lack of multivitamin intake are risk factors

A dimensioning and tolerancing methodology for concurrent engineering applications II: comprehensive solution strategy

Dimensioning and tolerancing (D&T) is a multidisciplinary problem which requires the fulfillment of a large number of dimensional requirements. However, almost all of the currently available D&T tools are only intended for use by the designer. In addition, they typically provide solutions for the requirements one at time. This paper presents a methodology for determining the dimensional specifications of the component parts and sub-assemblies of a product by satisfying all of its requirements. The comprehensive solution strategy presented here includes: a strategy for separating D&T problems into groups, the determination of an optimum solution order for coupled functional equations, a generic tolerance allocation strategy, and strategies for solving different types of D&T problems. A number of commonly used cost minimization strategies, such as the use of standard parts, preferred sizes, preferred fits, and preferred tolerances, have also been incorporated into the proposed methodology. The methodology is interactive and intended for use in a concurrent engineering environment by members of a product development team

Internet-based search of randomised trials relevant to mental health originating in the Arab world

BACKGROUND: The internet is becoming a widely used source of accessing medical research through various on-line databases. This instant access to information is of benefit to busy clinicians and service users around the world. The population of the Arab World is comparable to that of the United States, yet it is widely believed to have a greatly contrasting output of randomised controlled trials related to mental health. This study was designed to investigate the existence of such research in the Arab World and also to investigate the availability of this research on-line. METHODS: Survey of findings from three internet-based potential sources of randomised trials originating from the Arab world and relevant to mental health care. RESULTS: A manual search of an Arabic online current contents service identified 3 studies, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO searches identified only 1 study, and a manual search of a specifically indexed, study-based mental health database, PsiTri, revealed 27 trials. CONCLUSION: There genuinely seem to be few trials from the Arab world and accessing these on-line was problematic. Replication of some studies that guide psychiatric/psychological practice in the Arab world would seem prudent