The Morphometric Synthesis for landmarks and edge-elements in images

Over the last decade, techniques from mathematical statistics, multivariate biometrics, non-Euclidean geometry, and computer graphics have been combined in a coherent new system of tools for the biometric analysis of landmarks , or labelled points, along with the biological images in which they are seen. Multivariate analyses of samples for all the usual scientific purposes - description of mean shapes, of shape variation, and of the covariation of shape with size, group, or other causes or effects - may be carried out very effectively in the tangent space to David Kendall's shape space at the Procrustes average shape. For biometric interpretation of such analyses, we need a basis for the tangent space that is Procrustes-orthonormal, and we need graphics for visualizing mean shape differences and other segments and vectors there; both of these needs are managed by the thin-plate spline. The spline also links the biometrics of landmarks to deformation analysis of curves in the images from which the landmarks originally arose. This article reviews the principal tools of this synthesis in a typical study design involving landmarks and edge information from a microfossil.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75091/1/j.1365-3121.1995.tb00535.x.pd

Real Time Detection of Low Adhesion in the Wheel/Rail Contact

Condition monitoring of railway vehicles has been highlighted by the railway industry as a key enabling technology for future system development. The primary uses for this could be the improvement of maintenance procedures and/or the identification of high-risk vehicle running conditions. Advanced processing of signals means these tasks could be accomplished without the use of cost prohibitive sensors. This paper presents a system for the on-board detection of low-adhesion conditions during the normal operation of a railway vehicle. Two different processing methods are introduced. The first method is a model-based approach that uses a Kalman–Bucy filter to estimate creep forces, with subsequent post processing for interpretation into adhesion levels. The second non model-based method targets the assessment of relationships between vehicle dynamic responses to observe any behavioural differences as a result of an adhesion-level change. Both methods are evaluated in specific case studies using a British Rail (BR) Mark 3 coach, inclusive of a BR BT-10 bogie, and a generic modern passenger vehicle based on a contemporary bogie design. These vehicles were chosen as typical application opportunities within the UK. The results are validated with data generated by the multi-body simulation software VAMPIRE® for realistic data inputs, representing a key scientific achievement

On Vāgīśvarakīrti's influence in Kashmir and among the Khmer

Academic study of the tantric traditions has blossomed in recent decades, in no small measure thanks to the magisterial contributions of Alexis G.J.S. Sanderson, until 2015 Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University. This collection of essays honours him and touches severa

Low molecular weight heparin significantly reduces embolisation after carotid endarterectomy - a randomised controller trial

Objectives The administration of unfractionated heparin (UFH) prior to carotid clamping during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) transiently increases the platelet aggregation response to arachidonic acid (AA) despite the use of aspirin. We hypothesized that this phenomenon might be reduced by using low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) resulting in fewer emboli in the early post-operative period. Methods 183 aspirinated patients undergoing CEA were randomised to 5000 IU UFH (n = 91) or 2500 IU LMWH (dalteparin, n = 92) prior to carotid clamping. End-points were: transcranial Doppler (TCD) measurement of embolisation, effect on bleeding and platelet aggregation to AA and adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP). Results Patients randomised to UFH had twice the odds of experiencing a higher number of emboli in the first 3 h after CEA, than those randomised to LMWH (p = 0.04). This was not associated with increased bleeding (mean time from flow restoration to operation end: 23 min (UFH) vs. 24 min (LMWH), p = 0.18). Platelet aggregation to AA increased significantly following heparinisation, but was unaffected by heparin type (p = 0.90). The platelets of patients randomised to LMWH exhibited significantly lower aggregation to ADP compared to UFH (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Intravenous LMWH is associated with a significant reduction in post-operative embolisation without increased bleeding. The higher rate of embolisation seen with UFH may be mediated by increased platelet aggregation to ADP, rather than to AA

Low-molecular-weight heparin significantly reduces embolization after carotid endarterectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Low-molecular-weight heparin significantly reduces embolization after carotid endarterectomy: a randomized controlled trial