FPGA based digital signal processing for EPR spectroscopy with an application to MRI

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), a magnetic resonance technique similar to nuclear magnetic resonance, detects paramagnetic species such as free radicals. Like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), EPR can be implemented as an imaging technique for small animals and potentially human applications both in pulsed and continuous wave mode. Typical frequencies used for in vivo applications are about 300 MHz with a corresponding static magnetic field of about 100 G (10mT). As demonstrated with high field MRI imaging systems, a frequency of 300 MHz is applicable for clinical use since the penetration depth of this frequency is high enough to image humans. CW EPR techniques are commonly used since they permit detection of paramagnetic species with large width. Building an EPR spectrometer, as shown in Figure 1, is a challenge. The major goal is to have a high sensitivity receiver, which requires special attention to noise, crosstalk from the transmitter, clock jitter, phase noise, power supply filtering, and high speed measurements and processing. In this research, a new measurement method and its processing in FPGA to improve the sensitivity of the system is investigated

Efficient implementation of 90 degrees phase shifter in FPGA

In this article, we present an efficient way of implementing 90 phase shifter using Hilbert transformer with canonic signed digit (CSD) coefficients in FPGA. It is implemented using 27-tap symmetric finite impulse response (FIR) filter. Representing the filter coefficients by CSD eliminates the need for multipliers and the filter is implemented using shifters and adders/subtractors. The simulated results for the frequency response of the Hilbert transformer with infinite precision coefficients and CSD coefficients agree with each other. The proposed architecture requires less hardware as one adder is saved for the realization of every negative coefficient compared to convectional CSD FIR filter implementation. Also, it offers a high accuracy of phase shift

Real Time Tracking and Face Recognition Using Web Camera

Much interest has been shown in the field of biometric surveillance over the past decade. Face Recognition is a biometric recognition system that has gained much attention due to its low intrusiveness and easy availability of input data. To humans, face recognition is a natural ability that is an easy task. However, computerized face recognition is often complex and inaccurate. Several good techniques such as template matching, graph matching and eigenfaces have been developed by researchers to accomplish this task to varying degrees of success. In this dissertation, the eigenface approach is combined with neural networks to perform face recognition. Face images are first projected into a feature space where eigenvectors are extracted. The neural network performs identification and is used to train the computer to recognize faces. A number of very good approaches to face recognition are already available. Most of them work well in constrained environments. Here the development of a real time face recognition system that should work well in an unconstrained environment is studied. A tracking system is developed to work together with the face recognition algorithm. A method using pixel difference is used to detect movements in the camera's view. A pantilt system, using stepper motors is used to enable horizontal and vertical movements. The face recognition algorithm is found to be working well with a recognition rate of around 95%. Eigenface method combined with neural networks displays good performance in terms of accuracy and the ability for learning and generalization. The tracking system works well for objects traveling speeds below 5mIs and at distances from between 0.5m to 2m from the camera. Several improvements are suggested to improve the tracking system performance. An overview of some leading tracking and face recognition systems and scope of future work in this area is discussed

Changes in the Cropping Pattern, Crop Concentration, Agricultural Efficiency in Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India

Cropping pattern simply means the proportion of area under different crops at a point of time, where us change in cropping pattern refers to the change in proportion of area under different crops at two different points of time.  The cropping pattern of any area is generally controlled by physical, socio economic and technological factors.  There are more than 20 crops with varying hectares are grown in this taluk.  Of these 20 crops only 5 crops based on the properties of land to the total area under cultivation alone has been considered for analysis.  Simple percentage obtained by dividing total area under crops, in to area of different crops. Paddy is the dominant crop in this taluk. During the year 1995-1996 to 2008-2009 the following are the major 5 major crops are taken in to cultivate in the study area. Such as Paddy 82.2%, Sugarcane 6.5%, Oilseeds 4.5%, Pulses 4.1% and Cotton 1.9% to the total cropped area in the taluk

Embryonic Architecture with Built-in Self-test and GA Evolved Configuration Data

The embryonic architecture, which draws inspirationfrom the biological process of ontogeny, has built-inmechanisms for self-repair. The entire genome is stored in theembryonic cells, allowing the data to be replicated in healthycells in the event of a single cell failure in the embryonic fabric.A specially designed genetic algorithm (GA) is used to evolve theconfiguration information for embryonic cells. Any failed embryoniccell must be indicated via the proposed Built-in Self-test(BIST) the module of the embryonic fabric. This paper recommendsan effective centralized BIST design for a novel embryonic fabric.Every embryonic cell is scanned by the proposed BIST in casethe self-test mode is activated. The centralized BIST design usesless hardware than if it were integrated into each embryoniccell. To reduce the size of the data, the genome or configurationdata of each embryonic cell is decoded using Cartesian GeneticProgramming (CGP). The GA is tested for the 1-bit adder and2-bit comparator circuits that are implemented in the embryoniccell. Fault detection is possible at every function of the cell due tothe BIST module’s design. The CGP format can also offer gate-levelfault detection. Customized GA and BIST are combinedwith the novel embryonic architecture. In the embryonic cell, self-repairis accomplished via data scrubbing for transient errors

The effect of intradialytic low intensity stretching exercise on muscle cramps among patients undergoing haemodialysis in selected hospital at Kallakurichi

End stage renal disease is always fatal unless recognized and treated appropriately. The incidence rate per million population of treated end stage renal disease has been increasing at similar rates in most of the countries that record counts of new end stage renal disease patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intra dialytic low intensity stretching exercise on muscle cramps among patients undergoing

Combined role of Transvaginal Ultrasonogram and Aspiration Cytology of endometrium in post menopausal uterine bleeding: A Prospective study

This present prospective study analyzing the combined role of trans vaginal sonography and aspiration cytology of endometrium in postmenopausal bleeding was carried out at Government Kasturbha Gandhi Hospital, Madras Medical College during the period of October 2003 to November 2005. A total of 150 patients were included in the study All the patients underwent an initial assessment with trans vaginal sonography followed by aspiration cytology of endometrium and fractional curettage with the aim of obtaining a pathological diagnosis. All patients with abnormal findings and those coming under the category described earlier, subsequently underwent hysterectomy. The final diagnosis obtained after hysterectomy was designated as the gold standard against which the findings of transvaginal sonography and aspiration cytology of endometrium were compared and analysed for statistical significance. Observations in the study includes: Patients in the study group ranged from 40-70 years with 69.3% of them belonging to 50-60 years. • The study encompasses parous women with majority of them belonging to low socio economic status. • Most of the women (88.7%) had presented with in 6 months of onset of Complaints. • Both trans vaginal sonography and aspiration cytology of endometrium produce statistically significant results while evaluating post menopausal bleeding (p=0.000). • Trans vaginal sonogram showed a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 92%. • Aspiration cytology of endometrium in diagnosing pathology showed a sensitivity of 84.6% and specificity of 97.1% which is equal to that of traditional fractional curettage. • Aspiration cytology missed out the diagnosis of intraluminal pathology because of its blind nature. • Combining both transvaginal sonogram and aspiration cytology of endometrium in diagnosing endometrial pathology has better accuracy. • Though transvaginal sonography identifies endometrial hyperplasia, tissue diagnosis was necessary in these cases But it obviates the need for endometrial sampling in those cases where endometrium was less than 4 mm thickness. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal sonography is initially used to evaluate patients with post menopausal uterine bleeding. • With more than 4 mm endometrial thickness as cut off, patients can be subjected to aspiration cytology of endometrium. • Being an office procedure .aspiration cytology of endometrium ,it is better than traditional D&C in diagnosing endometrial pathology. • Aspiration cytology of endometrium is still unable to identify focal pathology which needs other diagnostic modalities such as saline infusion sonography or hysteroscopy. • Hence the combination of trans vaginal sonography and aspiration cytology of endometrium can be used in diagnosing post menopausal bleeding as an out patient procedure

A Comparative Analysis of Caregivers Burden and Depression of Patients with Dementia and Malignancy

INTRODUCTION: Caregivers of individuals suffering from Dementia and Cancer illnesses are at risk of having subjected to psychiatric morbidities. There is a paucity of data comparing the caregiver burden and depression of Dementia and Cancer patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study is to compare the caregivers’ burden and depression of Dementia and Cancer patients and also to study the risk factors associated with caregivers’ depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional study is performed on the caregivers of 40 Dementia and 40 Cancer caregivers in tertiary care hospital in Tamilnadu, from March to August 2015. The burden was assessed by ZBI scale, functional impairment by Katz ADL Index and IADL scale, and depression by MADRS scale. RESULTS: This study suggests both the groups were comparable in most sociodemographic factors, duration of caregiving, chronic illness in caregivers and functional impairment in patients. The burden and depression in Cancer caregivers were higher than Dementia caregivers such as 65% and 72.5%, and 30% and 17.5% respectively, it was statistically significant (p=0.003, p=0.0001) respectively. In both the groups whenever the burden was high, the depression was also high. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of Cancer patients have more burden and depression, than dementia patients respectively. Both the caregiver groups were vulnerable to depression, if the caregiver has more burden. So regular screening, early detection, psychiatric interventions will favor for better quality of life in both patients and caregivers

A cross sectional study to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety and psychosis in women undergoing cervical cancer treatment in a tertiary care center

INTRODUCTION: In India, cervical carcinoma falls in the top ten leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women. The latest technological growth has ensured that there is an early detection, treatment, and management of cervical cancer which has led to longer survival rates. With recent advancement in cancer treatment, there is improved prognosis leading to longer survival rates. A five-year survival rate is 0, 1A and 1B are 80%. The longer survival has increased the psychiatric morbidity and mortality in these patients. The resultant increase in life expectancy for people with cervical cancer has led to other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression sadly go unnoticed and untreated which at times leads to decreased quality of life and even sometimes suicide. A literature search showed that there is a gap in the literature about the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and psychosis in cancer cervix patients in an Indian setting. This study aims to understand the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and psychosis among women affected by cervical carcinoma and various factors associated with it. METHODS: A cross sectional, descriptive study was done by drawing samples from the outpatients of Radiology department at Government Stanley Hospital, Chennai with consecutive sampling from Outpatient department satisfying the selection criteria from July 2016 to July 2017. The sample was drawn from the radio therapy OPD patients who were diagnosed with cervical cancer from stage 1 to 4.Sample size was 67. Data was collected using the following tools; A structured Performa to collect the socio demographic details, family history details, and clinical profile; Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A); Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D); Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS); EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ). Statistical analysis was done using computerized software (SPSS 20). Descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were computed. Correlation tests and chi-square tests were done for different variables and parameters. RESULTS: The majority of them were in stage three (97%, n=65) and taking radiotherapy alone (76.1%, n=51). A larger part of the participants was in the age group of 51 to 65 years (52.2%, n=35). Most of the participants (79.1%, n=53) lived in nuclear families. Summarising the study, there is a correlation between the psychiatric morbidity, sexual function and quality of life and suicidal ideation with staging, treatment and duration of the disease. Correlation tests between suicide ideation and other variables showed positive and significant correlation with duration of diagnosis, staging of cancer and radiotherapy and surgery. Correlation tests between brief psychiatry rating scales and other variables showed positive and significant correlation with duration of diagnosis, staging of cancer and radiotherapy and surgery corroborating with previous studies. There is a negative correlation between the stage of the disease and the psychological well being. Sexual dysfunction was more common after radiotherapy. Cancers that had an advanced staging at the time of diagnosis were associated with a higher risk of suicide in the first twelve months of diagnosis. New diagnosis of cervical cancer is related to moderate/severe anxiety or depression.The rate of depression is higher among women with cervical carcinoma. Majority of the women diagnosed with cancer experience mental distress. Quality of life is poor in advanced stage and in patients treated with radiotherapy. DISCUSSION: The treatment should focus on improving the overall quality of life taking into consideration the following parameters; Pre treatment assessment for psychiatric morbidity; Pre treatment counselling; Assessment during treatment for suicide, anxiety and depression; Assessment during treatment for sexual dysfunction; Appropriate treatment and psycho education for any psychiatric morbidity if detected