Marshall University Music Department Presents a Piano Guest Artist Recital with Dr. Arunesh Nadgir

https://mds.marshall.edu/music_perf/1328/thumbnail.jp

Facilitating sensor interoperability and incorporating quality in fingerprint matching systems

This thesis addresses the issues of sensor interoperability and quality in the context of fingerprints and makes a three-fold contribution. The first contribution is a method to facilitate fingerprint sensor interoperability that involves the comparison of fingerprint images originating from multiple sensors. The proposed technique models the relationship between images acquired by two different sensors using a Thin Plate Spline (TPS) function. Such a calibration model is observed to enhance the inter-sensor matching performance on the MSU dataset containing images from optical and capacitive sensors. Experiments indicate that the proposed calibration scheme improves the inter-sensor Genuine Accept Rate (GAR) by 35% to 40% at a False Accept Rate (FAR) of 0.01%. The second contribution is a technique to incorporate the local image quality information in the fingerprint matching process. Experiments on the FVC 2002 and 2004 databases suggest the potential of this scheme to improve the matching performance of a generic fingerprint recognition system. The final contribution of this thesis is a method for classifying fingerprint images into 3 categories: good, dry and smudged. Such a categorization would assist in invoking different image processing or matching schemes based on the nature of the input fingerprint image. A classification rate of 97.45% is obtained on a subset of the FVC 2004 DB1 database

Understanding Meniere’s Disease in the light of Ayurveda

Meniere’s Disease is an inner ear disease characterized by episodes of Vertigo, Fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, Tinnitus and sensation of fullness of ear (aural fullness).  It may be associated with headache, nausea, drop attacks. Relapsing nature of the disease hampers the quality of life in patients. The highest prevalent age group is 30- 60 years of age. The main pathology occurs as the result of endolymphatic sac distension caused by excessive production or faulty absorption of endolymph or both. The exact cause is unknown the hypothesized etiological factors are vasomotor disturbances, excessive retention of water and sodium, allergy, auto immune, otosclerosis, otitis media etc. Acharya Sushruta has explained Karnarogas like Karnanaada, Karnakshweda, Badhirya which are nearer to Meniere’s disease when studied along with Bhrama. By knowing Doshic involvement we can incorporate the Chikitsa explained in the context of Urdhwajatru Vikaras like Nasya, Karnapoorana, Shirodhara etc. it is a Vata Pradhana Tridoshaja Vyadhi along with Rajo Dosha vitiation. Management can be done by adopting Shodhana Chikitsa like Snigdha Virechana, Tikshna Nasya which are helpful in combating Margavarodha and Vataprakopa, followed by Brimhana Nasya, Rasayana therapy along with Satwavajaya Chikitsa which helps to manage the anxiety induced by Vertigo

Development of an Infectivity Assay for Human Herpesvirus-8

An accurate method for determining HHV-8 infectivity is lacking. The most common method currently used is the measure of encapsidated (i.e. DNAse-resistant) DNA genomes using quantitative real-time PCR. This method, while highly sensitive, does not distinguish between infectious and non-infectious virus particles. Immunofluorescence imaging of infected cells can provide some idea of infectivity but this method is subjective and accurate measurements are difficult to obtain. We have developed a cell culture assay using the HHV-8 cellular receptor DC-SIGN and a β-galactosidase gene under the control of the replication trans-activator (RTA) responsive promoter, T1.1. Infection of these cells with HHV-8 results in RTA production (from the infecting genome), which in turn drives the T1.1-β-galactosidase reporter gene. The T1H6 cell line containing the β-galactosidase gene under the control of the HHV-8 T1.1 promoter, was transfected in our lab with a plasmid expressing DC-SIGN under the control of the CMV IE promoter producing the cell line T1H6-DC-SIGN. Expression of DC-SIGN in T1H6-DC-SIGN cells was confirmed by IFA. β-galactosidase levels were determined using a chemiluminescent β-galactosidase detection kit (Clontech). Levels of β-galactosidase were compared between HHV-8-infected T1H6 and T1H6-DC-SIGN cells. TCID50 values were determined using the Reed-Muench calculation. DNA copy numbers were determined using quantitative PCR specific for HHV-8 DNA. Levels of β-galactosidase were significantly increased in infected T1H6-DC-SIGN cells compared to T1H6 cells supporting the role of DC-SIGN as a viral receptor. A ratio of TCID50 values to DNA genome copy numbers demonstrated specific infectivity ranging from 10-4 to 10-6. Validation of TCID50 values was obtained by infection of immature dendritic cells using 1 and 2 TCID50s. Using this assay, we compared replication kinetics in de novo HHV-8 infected activated B cells in two donors. In terms of public health, this is a more sensitive and specific assay for data that is needed to study HHV-8 infection. A potential clinical application using this assay involves determination of neutralizing antibody titers

Design and performance evaluation of a lightweight wireless early warning intrusion detection prototype

The proliferation of wireless networks has been remarkable during the last decade. The license-free nature of the ISM band along with the rapid proliferation of the Wi-Fi-enabled devices, especially the smart phones, has substantially increased the demand for broadband wireless access. However, due to their open nature, wireless networks are susceptible to a number of attacks. In this work, we present anomaly-based intrusion detection algorithms for the detection of three types of attacks: (i) attacks performed on the same channel legitimate clients use for communication, (ii) attacks on neighbouring channels, and (iii) severe attacks that completely block network's operation. Our detection algorithms are based on the cumulative sum change-point technique and they execute on a real lightweight prototype based on a limited resource mini-ITX node. The performance evaluation shows that even with limited hardware resources, the prototype can detect attacks with high detection rates and a few false alarms. © 2012 Fragkiadakis et al

Current understanding of the relationship between cervical manipulation and stroke: what does it mean for the chiropractic profession?

The understanding of the relationship between cervical manipulative therapy (CMT) and vertebral artery dissection and stroke (VADS) has evolved considerably over the years. In the beginning the relationship was seen as simple cause-effect, in which CMT was seen to cause VADS in certain susceptible individuals. This was perceived as extremely rare by chiropractic physicians, but as far more common by neurologists and others. Recent evidence has clarified the relationship considerably, and suggests that the relationship is not causal, but that patients with VADS often have initial symptoms which cause them to seek care from a chiropractic physician and have a stroke some time after, independent of the chiropractic visit

A Cooperative Approach Towards Reinforcing Learning

Reinforcing learning is usually, and rightly, construed as a process in which positive or negative reinforcement is deployed in the class to shape behaviours through rewards and punishments. But there are other ways in which learning can be reinforced. Reinforcement can also happen by designing a learning experience that is not predicated on the product but rather on the process. This article is about cooperative learning that helps in reinforcing learning