371 research outputs found

    Super-Resolution Overlay in Multi-Projector Displays

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    A technique, associated system and computer executable program code, for projecting a superimposed image onto a target display surface under observation of one or more cameras. A projective relationship between each projector being used and the target display surface is determined using a suitable calibration technique. A component image for each projector is then estimated using the information from the calibration, and represented in the frequency domain. Each component image is estimated by: Using the projective relationship, determine a set of sub-sampled, regionally shifted images, represented in the frequency domain; each component image is then composed of a respective set of the sub-sampled, regionally shifted images. In an optimization step, the difference between a sum of the component images and a frequency domain representation of a target image is minimized to produce a second, or subsequent, component image for each projector

    Integrating Local Binary Pattern Image Transformations and Customized Deep Learning Models for Enhanced Fetal Cardiac Anomaly Detection

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    This research focuses on developing a deep learning diagnostic model for diagnosing fetal cardiac anomalies from real time ultrasound scan images. The dataset framed in the previous research is transformed using Local Binary Pattern (LBP) technique which is trained with the deep learning models to create the classifiers. These models are used to classify the Real Time images captured by ultrasound scanning machines. The LBP is a texture image feature. LBP captures the local structure and patterns within an image by comparing the intensity values of each pixel with its surrounding neighbours. The LBP operator assigns a binary code to each pixel based on the comparison results, resulting in a texture representation of the image. The FetaEcho_V05 dataset is transformed into an LBP image dataset titled as FetalEcho_V0501. This dataset is used for creating the classifiers by training the custom CNN(CCNN), AlexNet, VGG16 and ResNet50 deep learning models. The classifiers are evaluated for its overall classification performance and class wise evaluation performance using the metrics the precision, recall, accuracy and F1 score metrics. When the overall performance is considered, the CCCNN model performed the best on the FetalEcho_V0501 dataset

    Senior surgeons as role models in the operating theatre: a thematic analysis through the lens of Aristotelian ethics

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    BACKGROUND: Surgeons are commonly evaluated by surgical skills and outcomes rather than their character traits. We sought to examine role model behaviours of senior surgeons through the lens of Aristotelian (virtue) ethics. METHODS: Semi-structured focus group interviews were undertaken of anaesthetic trainees at a large university hospital NHS Foundation Trust and transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis to yield themes and subthemes. Participation of the trainees was entirely voluntary and focus groups were conducted using Zoomℱ. RESULTS: The overarching themes identified were ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’, ‘Captain of the ship’ and ‘Strong foundations’. CONCLUSION: We hope to take lessons learnt in conjunction with our previous work to help refocus surgical training towards a process of character reformation, rather than simply imparting technical skills to trainees

    Racial differences in self‐reported healthcare seeking and treatment for urinary incontinence in community‐dwelling women from the EPI study

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    Aims Objectives of this study are: (1) to examine the prevalence of healthcare seeking among black and white women with self‐reported urinary incontinence (UI), (2) to investigate barriers to treatment for incontinence, and (3) To investigate commonly used therapeutic modalities for UI. Methods This is a planned secondary analysis of responses from 2,812 black and white community‐dwelling women living in southeastern Michigan, aged 35–64 years, who completed a telephone interview concerning UI, healthcare‐seeking behaviors and management strategies. The study population was 571 subjects (278 black, 293 white) who self‐identified as having urinary incontinence. Results Of these women with UI, 51% sought healthcare with no statistically significant difference between the two races (53% black, 50.6% white, P  = 0.64). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, a higher likelihood of seeking healthcare was associated with increased age, body mass index lower than 30 kg/m 2 , prior surgery for UI, having regular pelvic exams, having a doctor, and worsening severity of UI. There was no significant association between hypothesized barriers to care seeking and race. Almost 95% of the subjects identified lack of knowledge of available treatments as one barrier. Black and white women were similar in percentage use of medications and some self‐care strategies, for example, pad wearing and bathroom mapping, but black women were significantly more likely to restrict fluid intake than white women and marginally less likely to perform Kegels. Conclusions Black and white women seek healthcare for UI at similar, low rates. Improved patient‐doctor relationships and public education may foster healthcare seeking behavior. Neurourol. Urodynam. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30: 1442–1447, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87061/1/21145_ftp.pd

    CLINICAL PROFILE, PRESCRIPTION PATTERNS, AND ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH VITILIGO: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

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    Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess clinical profile (age of onset, age of presentation, gender, site of involvement, severity (stage), type of vitiligo, triggering factors, and associated diseases), prescription patterns (monotherapy, combination therapy, oral, topical, and therapeutic categories of drugs prescribed) and to monitor and report adverse drug reactions (based on World Health Organization [WHO] causality assessment scale) in vitiligo patients. Methods: A hospital-based prospective observational study was carried out by evaluating and assessing the clinical profile and prescription patterns of 85 patients who attended dermatology venereology and leprosy (DVL) outpatient department at Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women, SVIMS, Tirupati, over a period of 6 months from June 2019 to December 2019. Results: In our study, forty four (51.77%) patients were female, vitiligo vulgaris is the most common morphological type observed in twenty seven (31.76%) patients. 31–50 years was the predominant age group. The mean age of onset and presentation was 38.35 (standard deviation of 18.37) and 43.27 (standard deviation of 17.96) years, respectively. Forty-one (48.23%) patients were having Stage 1 vitiligo. Fifty (58.85%) patients were having vitiligo at more than 1 site. Twelve (14.11%) patients were having a positive family history of vitiligo. Thirty-seven (43.53%) patients had triggering factors. Associated diseases were found in thirty (35%) patients. Combination therapy was given to sixty one (71.77%) patients. Topical medications were given to fifty two (61.18%) patients. During the study, we did not have a single patient complaining of any adverse drug reaction. Conclusion: Longer the time after appearance of vitiligo, lesser the number of patients attending follow-up. If vitiligo is diagnosed at the earliest stage, more are the chances for complete repigmentation. Patients with a poor economic background are less bothered about their skin condition and are not using medications properly

    First Image of the Sun with MeerKAT Solar Observations: Opening a New Frontier in Solar Physics

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    Solar radio emissions provide several unique diagnostics to estimate different physical parameters of the solar corona, which are otherwise simply inaccessible. However, imaging the highly dynamic solar coronal emissions spanning a large range of angular scales at radio wavelengths is extremely challenging. At GHz frequencies, the MeerKAT radio telescope is possibly globally the best-suited instrument at the present time and can provide high-fidelity spectroscopic snapshot solar images. Here, we present the first images of the Sun made using the observations with the MeerKAT at L-band (856 -- 1711 MHz). This work demonstrates the high fidelity of the MeerKAT solar images through a comparison with simulated radio images at the MeerKAT frequencies. The observed images show extremely good mophological similarities with the simulated images. A detailed comparison between the simulated radio map and observed MeerKAT radio images demonstrates that there is significant missing flux density in MeerKAT images at the higher frequencies of the observing band, though it can potentially be estimated and corrected for. We believe once solar observations with the MeerKAT are commissioned, they will not only enable a host of novel studies but also open the door to a large unexplored phase space with significant discovery potential.Comment: Preparing for submission, 14 pages, 9 figure

    Expression of the Vesicular GABA Transporter within Neuromedin S\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e Neurons Sustains Behavioral Circadian Rhythms

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    The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the site of a central circadian clock that orchestrates overt rhythms of physiology and behavior. Circadian timekeeping requires intercellular communication among SCN neurons, and multiple signaling pathways contribute to SCN network coupling. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is produced by virtually all SCN neurons, and previous work demonstrates that this transmitter regulates coupling in the adult SCN but is not essential for the nucleus to sustain overt circadian rhythms. Here, we show that the deletion of the gene that codes for the GABA vesicular transporter Vgat from neuromedin-S (NMS)+ neurons—a subset of neurons critical for SCN function—causes arrhythmia of locomotor activity and sleep. Further, NMS-Vgat deletion impairs intrinsic clock gene rhythms in SCN explants cultured ex vivo. Although vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is critical for SCN function, Vgat deletion from VIP-expressing neurons did not lead to circadian arrhythmia in locomotor activity rhythms. Likewise, adult SCN-specific deletion of Vgat led to mild impairment of behavioral rhythms. Our results suggest that while the removal of GABA release from the adult SCN does not affect the pacemaker’s ability to sustain overt circadian rhythms, its removal from a critical subset of neurons within the SCN throughout development removes the nucleus ability to sustain circadian rhythms. Our findings support a model in which SCN GABA release is critical for the developmental establishment of intercellular network properties that define the SCN as a central pacemaker

    Characterisation of the bacterial and fungal communities associated with different lesion sizes of Dark Spot Syndrome occurring in the Coral Stephanocoenia intersepta

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    The number and prevalence of coral diseases/syndromes are increasing worldwide. Dark Spot Syndrome (DSS) afflicts numerous coral species and is widespread throughout the Caribbean, yet there are no known causal agents. In this study we aimed to characterise the microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) associated with DSS lesions affecting the coral Stephanocoenia intersepta using nonculture molecular techniques. Bacterial diversity of healthy tissues (H), those in advance of the lesion interface (apparently healthy AH), and three sizes of disease lesions (small, medium, and large) varied significantly (ANOSIM R = 0.052 p,0.001), apart from the medium and large lesions, which were similar in their community profile. Four bacteria fitted into the pattern expected from potential pathogens; namely absent from H, increasing in abundance within AH, and dominant in the lesions themselves. These included ribotypes related to Corynebacterium (KC190237), Acinetobacter (KC190251), Parvularculaceae (KC19027), and Oscillatoria (KC190271). Furthermore, two Vibrio species, a genus including many proposed coral pathogens, dominated the disease lesion and were absent from H and AH tissues, making them candidates as potential pathogens for DSS. In contrast, other members of bacteria from the same genus, such as V. harveyii were present throughout all sample types, supporting previous studies where potential coral pathogens exist in healthy tissues. Fungal diversity varied significantly as well, however the main difference between diseased and healthy tissues was the dominance of one ribotype, closely related to the plant pathogen, Rhytisma acerinum, a known causal agent of tar spot on tree leaves. As the corals’ symbiotic algae have been shown to turn to a darker pigmented state in DSS (giving rise to the syndromes name), the two most likely pathogens are R. acerinum and the bacterium Oscillatoria, which has been identified as the causal agent of the colouration in Black Band Disease, another widespread coral disease

    Istodobno spektrofotometrijsko određivanje losartan kalija, amlodipin besilata i hidroklorotiazida u farmaceutskim pripravcima kemometrijskom metodom

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    In the present work, four different spectrophotometric methods for simultaneous estimation of losartan potassium, amlodipine besilate and hydrochlorothiazide in raw materials and in formulations are described. Overlapped data was quantitatively resolved by using chemometric methods, classical least squares (CLS), multiple linear regression (MLR), principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS). Calibrations were constructed using the absorption data matrix corresponding to the concentration data matrix, with measurements in the range of 230.5350.4 nm (∆λ = 0.1 nm) in their zero order spectra. The linearity range was found to be 840, 15 and 315 ÎŒg ml1 for losartan potassium, amlodipine besilate and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The validity of the proposed methods was successfully assessed for analyses of drugs in the various prepared physical mixtures and in tablet formulations.U radu su opisane četiri spektrofotometrijske metode za istodobno određivanje losartan kalija, amlodipin besilata i hidroklorotiazida u sirovinama i farmaceutskim pripravcima. Podaci koji su se preklapali kvantitativno su razlučeni kemometrijskim metodama, klasičnom metodom najmanjih kvadrata (CLS), multiplom linearnom regresijom (MLR), regresijom glavnih komponenata (PCR) te metodom parcijalnih najmanjih kvadrata (PLS). Kalibracije su provedene koristeći podatke o ovisnosti apsorpcije o koncentracijama, mjereći spektre nultog reda u rasponu 230,5350,4 nm (∆λ = 0,1 nm). Linearnost za losartan kalij bila je 840, za amlodipin besilat 15, a za hidroklorotiazid 315 ÎŒg ml1. Valjanost predloĆŸenih metoda uspjeĆĄno je potvrđena analizom navedenih lijekova u različitim pripremljenim smjesama i tabletama
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