Impact of Image Denoising Techniques on CNN-based Liver Vessel Segmentation using Synthesis Low-dose Contrast Enhanced CT Images

Liver vessel segmentation in contrast enhanced CT (CECT) image is relevant for several clinical applications. However, the liver segmentation on noisy images obtain incorrect liver vessel segmentation which may lead to distortion in the simulation of cooling effect near the vessels during the planning. In this study, we present a framework that consists of three well-known and state-of-the-art denoising techniques, Vesssel enhancing diffusion (VED), RED-CNN, and MAP-NN and using a state-of-the-art Convolution Neural Networks (nn-Unet) to segment the liver vessels from the CECT images. The impact of denoising methods on the vessel segmentation are ablated using with multi-level simulated low-dose CECT of the liver. The experiment is carried on CECT images of the liver from two public and one private datasets. We evaluate the performance of the framework using Dice score and sensitivity criteria. Furthermore, we investigate the efficient of denoising on roughness of the surface of liver vessel segmentation. The results from our experiment suggest that denoising methods can improve the liver vessel segmentation quality in the CECT image with high low-dose noise while they degrade the liver vessel segmentation accuracy for low-noise-level CECT images

Groundwork-Based Research to Design Application SCC - Building a Sustainable Community for Children in Mountainous Area

Children’s clothing is a prime example of fast fashion, as their continuous growth requires frequent purchases. This not only impacts the environment but also puts financial strain on parents. Concurrently, many highland children lack essential material and educational resources, contributing to poverty in the region. To address these challenges, local authorities urgently require a sustainable solution that supports children, communities, and localities, fostering comprehensive development. The project development criteria are evaluated based on the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). Data was collected through an online survey of 50 married individuals, 162 non-married individuals, and interviews with those who have organized events for children in the highlands. Additionally, insights were obtained from three children from disadvantaged areas. The results indicate that all target groups show a keen interest in social activities for children. Parents facing difficulties accessing charities, and the lack of effective collaboration between charities and local authorities, hinders sustainable development efforts. Keywords: children, SDG, social sustainabilty, communit

Determinants of customer's apartment purchase intention: is the location dominant?

The purpose of this research is to identify and measure the factors affecting the intention to buy apartments of customers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The survey carried out with the participation of 200 customers. The authors explore five factors which affect customer's apartment purchase intention include location, features, brand, finance, and subjective norm. The result from Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) shows that location, features, finance, and subjective norm have a significant effect on the intention to buy customers' apartments. In which, location in Ho Chi Minh City context is the most influential factor, so, it strongly confirm the research of Adair et al. (1996), Clark et al. (2006), Daly et al. (2003), Kaynak and Stevenson (2007), Opoku and AbdulMuhmin (2010), Sengul et al. (2010), Tu and Goldfinch (1996), Xiao and Tan (2007) and Wang and Li (2006). The study also proposes some recommendations to increase the attractiveness of the apartment. What is more, developers, marketers, real estate policymakers can use the results of this research to understand the needs of customers better and satisfy customers

Investigate the Structural Response of Ultra High Performance Concrete Column under the High Explosion

Most of the structures that are damaged by an explosion are not initially designed to resist this kind of load. In the overall structure of any building, columns play an important role to prevent the collapse of frame structure under blast impact. Hence, the main concept in the blast resistance design of the structure is to improve the blast load capacity of the column. In this study, dynamic analysis and numerical model of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) column under high explosive load, is presented. Based on the Johnson Holmquist 2 damage model and the subroutine in the ABAQUS platform, a total of twenty UHPC model of the column were calculated. The objective of the article is to investigate the structural response of the UHPC column and locate the most vulnerable scenarios to propose necessary recommendations for the UHPC column in the blast loading resistance design. The input parameters, including the effect of various shapes of cross-section, scaled distance, steel reinforcement ratio, and cross-section area, are analyzed to clarify the dynamic behavior of the UHPC column subjected to blast loading. Details of the numerical data, and the discussion on the important obtained results, are also provided in this paper

A Solution of Plane Stress Problem Subjected to Horizontal Shear Force by Using Polynomial Airy Stress Function

Many structural analysis problems in civil engineering and mechanical engineering can be treated as plane stress and plane strain problems introduced in the theory of elasticity. One of the popular analytical methods to tackle plane analysis is to determine Airy stress function. In general, the Airy stress function depends on the analyzed domain and the applied loads; however, the number of problems that can be solved by employing this method is limited because of the formidable challenges of guessing trial function. In many cases, the trial Airy stress functions are selected based on the results of a simple beam model or experimental results. This paper introduces a solution of the plane stress subjected to horizontal shear forces by using a polynomial Airy stress function, in which the trail function is predicted from the results of the elementary beam theory of an equivalent model. The numerical investigation on stress distributions was presented, and it showed that although the internal shear force acting on cross-sections have not appeared, shear stress still appeared, and the shear stress diagram had both negative and positive areas

A Solution of Plane Stress Problem Subjected to Horizontal Shear Force by Using Polynomial Airy Stress Function

Many structural analysis problems in civil engineering and mechanical engineering can be treated as plane stress and plane strain problems introduced in the theory of elasticity. One of the popular analytical methods to tackle plane analysis is to determine Airy stress function. In general, the Airy stress function depends on the analyzed domain and the applied loads; however, the number of problems that can be solved by employing this method is limited because of the formidable challenges of guessing trial function. In many cases, the trial Airy stress functions are selected based on the results of a simple beam model or experimental results. This paper introduces a solution of the plane stress subjected to horizontal shear forces by using a polynomial Airy stress function, in which the trail function is predicted from the results of the elementary beam theory of an equivalent model. The numerical investigation on stress distributions was presented, and it showed that although the internal shear force acting on cross-sections have not appeared, shear stress still appeared, and the shear stress diagram had both negative and positive areas

Sanitation behavior among schoolchildren in a multi-ethnic area of Northern rural Vietnam

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Vietnam, efforts are underway to improve latrine use in rural and remote areas with particular focus on increasing coverage of sanitation in schools. However, there is a lack of information on how the school program affects latrine use by schoolchildren and at community level. This paper analyzes sanitation use among schoolchildren in a multi-ethnic area to inform future school-based sanitation promotion programmes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was applied during a 5 months period in six primary and secondary schools and in the homes of schoolchildren in four different ethnic villages in Northern rural Vietnam. Using a structured questionnaire, 319 children were interviewed face-to-face to collect quantitative data. Qualitative methods included extensive observations at schools and in the homes of 20 children, a single day's diary writings of 234 children, in-depth interviews with children (20), their parents (20) and school staff (10), and focus group discussions with parents (4) and teachers (6), and picture drawing with children (12).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All surveyed schools had student latrines. However, the observed schoolchildren most commonly urinated and defecated in the open. Main barriers for latrine use included inadequate number of latrines, limited accessibility to latrines, lack of constant water supply in latrines and lack of latrine maintenance by school management. Programs promoting latrine use for children were not conducted in either schools or communities and were not established as a preferred social norm in such settings. Children perceived existing school latrines as unappealing and expressed a wish to have basic, functional, clean, and colorful school latrines with privacy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The paper shows that the current school based sanitation promotion is insufficient to change sanitation behavior of school children irrespective of their ethnicity. It is important that schools, households and communities work more closely together to increase use and uptake of latrine use among schoolchildren. Also, the contractors of latrine facilities must work more closely with local school management when constructing latrines, including identifying location, design and appropriate systems of water supply. A separate budget needs to be allocated to allow the school to maintain the sanitation infrastructure and keep it hygienic and appealing for users.</p

Assessing forest cover changes in Dak Lak province (Central Highlands of Vietnam) from multi-temporal Landsat data and machine learning techniques

Dak Lak is a province in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam, with a large area of forests and forestry land. However, the forest cover has changed dramatically in recent times due to the influence of human activities and climate change. This article presents the results of assessing forest cover changes in Dak Lak province from Landsat satellite image data for the period 2000 – 2020. Three Landsat satellite image scenes, including Landsat 5 TM images taken in March 2000 and February 2010 and Landsat 8 OLI image taken in February 2020 are used to classify forest cover. Three common machine learning techniques, including Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Classification and Regression Tree (CART) and the traditional maximum likelihood classification algorithm are used to classify forest cover in the study area, thereby choosing the method with the highest accuracy. The results show that the RF algorithm has the highest accuracy in classifying forest cover from multi-temporal Landsat images by comparing the overall accuracy value and the Kappa coefficient. The obtained results are used to build forest cover change maps in the period 2000 - 2010, 2010 - 2020 and 2000 - 2020. The results received in the study provide information to help managers in monitoring and protecting forest resources