Radar shadow detection in SAR images using DEM and projections

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images are widely used in target recognition tasks nowadays. In this letter, we propose an automatic approach for radar shadow detection and extraction from SAR images utilizing geometric projections along with the digital elevation model (DEM) which corresponds to the given geo-referenced SAR image. First, the DEM is rotated into the radar geometry so that each row would match that of a radar line of sight. Next, we extract the shadow regions by processing row by row until the image is covered fully. We test the proposed shadow detection approach on different DEMs and a simulated 1D signals and 2D hills and volleys modeled by various variance based Gaussian functions. Experimental results indicate the proposed algorithm produces good results in detecting shadows in SAR images with high resolution.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Longitudinal top polarisation measurement and anomalous WtbWtb coupling

Kinematical distributions of decay products of the top quark carry information on the polarisation of the top as well as on any possible new physics in the decay of the top quark. We construct observables in the form of asymmetries in the kinematical distributions to probe their effects. Charged-lepton angular distributions in the decay are insensitive to anomalous couplings to leading order. Hence these can be a robust probe of top polarisation. However, these are difficult to measure in the case of highly boosted top quarks as compared to energy distributions of decay products. These are then sensitive, in general, to both top polarisation and top anomalous couplings. We compare various asymmetries for their sensitivities to the longitudinal polarisation of the top quark as well as to possible new physics in the $Wtb$ vertex, paying special attention to the case of highly boosted top quarks. We perform a $\chi ^2$- analysis to determine the regions in the longitudinal polarisation of the top quark and the couplings of the $Wtb$ vertex constrained by different combinations of the asymmetries. Moreover, we find that use of observables sensitive to the longitudinal top polarisation can add to the sensitivity to which the $Wtb$ vertex can be probed.Comment: significantly revised version, clarifications on the term 'polarisation' added, new references added, the title modified, 41 figures. Accepted for publication in EPJ

An Observational Study on Siddha Diagnostic Tools including line of treatment and dietary regimen of KARAPPAN PITHAM [EOSINOPHILIA]

Initially the author had selected 4-5 topics. The author was interested to select this topic because nowadays most of the people with itching and wheezing are developing more complications. So, the author shows this topic to a modern pathologist, he gave more information to the author about the disease. Then this topic is submitted to the screening committee members and got approved from them as well as from the IEC committee members later. The aim of this study is to evaluate the significance of the disease Karappan Pitham, with help of Siddha diagnostic parameters such as Ennvagaithervu, Yaakkaiyin ilakkanam, Manikkadai nool, Jothidam and Panjapatchi sasthiram. Karappan Pitham was quoted in the Yugi Vaithiya Chinthamani-800. It is one of the pitha disease characterized by itching, rashes or patches, wheezing, cough, diarrhoea, pain in joints, numbness and tiredness. The author had collected review of literature, definition, etiology and classification regarding the disease from various books. From the observational study, In O.P.D 100 cases were observed as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the informed consent were observed from the patients. Case sheet proforma were maintained for 100 cases. The author took the study in his OPD under the guidance of his department HOD and other faculties. Laboratory investigations also were carried out during the study. Enn vagai thaervu, Yaakkaiyin ilakkanam, Manikkadai nool, Jothidam and Panjapatchi saasthiram of the patients were evaluated in the study. In this study, following data were observed and discussed for the 100 cases. Among 100 cases, • 87% cases had itching; • 67% cases had Rashes or Patches and • 42% cases had Wheezing. • 75% of cases were between 13 to 59 years old. • 60% of cases were males and 40% of cases were females. • 55% of cases were lower class patients. • 63% of cases were taking mixed diet. • 42% of cases were Pitha Vaatha dhegi. • 46% of cases had Iyalbu udal vanmai. • 89% of cases were from Neithal nilam. • 41% of cases came in Pinpani kaalam and Elavaenir kaalam each. • In 86% of cases, Thozhil Kaatru (Viyanan) was affected. • In 86% of cases, Olloli Thee (Prasagam) was affected. • In 40% of cases, Ondri Iyyam (Sandhigam) was affected. • 86% of cases had Saaram kurai kunam. • 48% of cases had Pitha Vaatha Naadi. • 78% of cases had Mitha veppam and 67% of cases had patches. • 64% of cases had V-shaped tongue; 48% of cases had coated tongue. • 59% of cases were Maa niram and 42% of cases had Karumai nira padaigal. • 72% of cases had medium pitched voice. • 54% of cases had Venmai nira venvizhi; 46% of cases had Pazhuppu nira venvizhi. • 97% of cases had yellowish coloured stools; 88% of cases had normal odour; 22% of cases had diarrhoea with loose stools. • 64% of cases had pale yellowish coloured urine; 84% of cases had odourless urine; 65% of urine had normal quantity; 23% of cases had burning micturation. • 78% of cases spread slowly and 48% of cases had Pitha Vaatha Neikuri. • 35% of cases had 8 ¾ fbs wrist circumference. • 31 cases of Kadaga Laknam; 43 cases of Kadaga Raasi; 25 cases of Ayilya Natchathiram are noted. • 50 cases were in Valarpirai and Thaeipirai each, in which, 40 cases had Pitha vaatha (PV) kuttram

In Vitro Biomechanical Testing and Computational: Modeling in Spine

Two separate in vitro biomechanical studies were conducted on human cadaveric spines (Lumbar) to evaluate the stability following the implantation of two different spinal fixation devices interspinous fixation device (ISD) and Hybrid dynamic stabilizers. ISD was evaluated as a stand-alone and in combination with unilateral pedicle rod system. The results were compared against the gold standard, spinal fusion (bilateral pedicle rod system). The second study involving the hybrid dynamic system, evaluated the effect on adjacent levels using a hybrid testing protocol. A robotic spine testing system was used to conduct the biomechanical tests. This system has the ability to apply continuous unconstrained pure moments while dynamically optimizing the motion path to minimize off-axis loads during testing. Thus enabling precise control over the loading and boundary conditions of the test. This ensures test reliability and reproducibility. We found that in flexion-extension, the ISD can provide lumbar stability comparable to spinal fusion. However, it provides minimal rigidity in lateral bending and axial rotation when used as a stand-alone. The ISD with a unilateral pedicle rod system when compared to the spinal fusion construct were shown to provide similar levels of stability in all directions, though the spinal fusion construct showed a trend toward improved stiffness overall. The results for the dynamic stabilization system showed stability characteristics similar to a solid all metal construct. Its addition to the supra adjacent level (L3- L4) to the fusion (L4- L5) indeed protected the adjacent level from excessive motion. However, it essentially transformed a 1 level into a 2 level lumbar fusion with exponential transfer of motion to the fewer remaining discs (excessive adjacent level motion). The computational aspect of the study involved the development of a spine model (single segment). The kinematic data from these biomechanical studies (ISD study) was then used to validate a finite element model