An Efficient Hidden Markov Model for Offline Handwritten Numeral Recognition

Traditionally, the performance of ocr algorithms and systems is based on the recognition of isolated characters. When a system classifies an individual character, its output is typically a character label or a reject marker that corresponds to an unrecognized character. By comparing output labels with the correct labels, the number of correct recognition, substitution errors misrecognized characters, and rejects unrecognized characters are determined. Nowadays, although recognition of printed isolated characters is performed with high accuracy, recognition of handwritten characters still remains an open problem in the research arena. The ability to identify machine printed characters in an automated or a semi automated manner has obvious applications in numerous fields. Since creating an algorithm with a one hundred percent correct recognition rate is quite probably impossible in our world of noise and different font styles, it is important to design character recognition algorithms with these failures in mind so that when mistakes are inevitably made, they will at least be understandable and predictable to the person working with theComment: 6pages, 5 figure

A Critical Analysis of Intellectual Disabilities and End-of-Life Decision Making

Presently, research suggests the involvement of individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) in making end-of-life (EOL) decisions appears to be minimal (Ellison & Rosielle, 2008). The reasons for the lack of involvement include but are not limited to communication challenges, lack of education on caring for individuals with IDs by the medical community, incorrect assumptions that the individual lacks cognitive capacity to consent, and fear of legal consequences if formal caregivers are accused of not providing enough care. (Wagemans et al., 2010). These factors then often culminate in the individual with IDs having decisions made for them by someone else, whom they may or may not know. Since they are often kept out of the decision-making process, individuals with IDs are at risk for undergoing unnecessary life extending treatments that prolong life while quite possibly quality of life diminishes (Wagemans et al., 2013)

Molecular detection of pathogenic Fusarium species in roots and stalks of maize plants with or without transgenic resistance to corn rootworm

Fusarium species are among most common fungal pathogens of maize, causing root rot, stalk rot, stalk lodging and ear rot. Fusarium verticillioides and F. graminearum are two of the most prevalent stalk rot fungi in Nebraska and Iowa. Corn root worms (CRW) are the most costly pests of maize plants, causing damage to both above- and below-ground parts of the plant. CRW feeding on roots creates good invading sites for different fungal species. The goal of this research was to determine whether use of transgenic CRW-resistant maize hybrids will have reduced levels of Fusarium colonization of roots and stalks compared to their near-isogenic susceptible hybrids. Experiments were conducted at two locations each in 2007 and 2008 in fields with high populations of Western corn root worms, (Diabrotica virgifera LeConte): Bruner farm near Ames, IA (2007), ISU Southeast Research Farm near Crawfordsville, IA (2007-2008), and Agricultural Research and Development Center, Univ. of NE near Mead, Nebraska (2007-2008). Commercially available hybrids with CRW-resistance transgenes along with their near-isogenic CRW-susceptible hybrids were planted. The CRW events include DAS-59122 (Herculexy Xtra), MON863 (Yieldgard Plusy), MON88107 (Yieldgard VT Tripley) and MIR604 (Agrisurey RW/CB/LL). In 2008, insecticidal seed treatment also was tested for its effect on CRW feeding and subsequent Fusarium colonization. Sampling was done on roots in mid-July and stalks in mid-September in 2007 and in 2008 mid-September roots were also sampled. Root colonization was assessed by dilution plating of dried ground tissue, and by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). v Primers and fluorogenic probes, specific to mycotoxin biosynthesis genes in F. verticillioides and F. graminearum were used to quantify root and stalk colonization. Standard calibration curves of both species showed linear correlation (r2=0.99) between the fungal genomic DNA and the threshold cycle values. There were highly significant differences in colonization between resistant and near isogenic susceptible hybrids for events MON 88017 and MIR 604 in Nebraska July roots in 2007. F. verticillioides was at high levels in Nebraska whereas F. graminearum was more common in Iowa. Stalks from both locations were highly colonized with F. graminearum. The PCR results were compared to a microbiological dilution plating method. In 2007 the results of the two methods correlated well but in 2008 they did not follow the same pattern. In dilution plating results we could consistently see significantly lower Fusarium CFU/g tissue in hybrids with CRW resistance than in near-isogenic CRW susceptible hybrids. Insecticidal seed treatment did not have a significant effect on level of colonization of fungal species measured by PCR or dilution plating results. CRW feeding on maize roots sometimes enhanced the infection of roots by Fusarium species and transgenic CRW resistant hybrids suffered less colonization than susceptible hybrids in CRW infested fields. However, the interaction between Fusarium spp and CRW varied in their degree among Fusarium species. Known maize pathogens F. verticillioides and F. graminearum were not consistently affected by CRW resistance as much as the total Fusarium population. The impact of this interaction on stalk rots is not clearly demonstrated

3-d reconstruction and morphological analysis of normal rectum

There is no documentation of the 3-D dimensions of normal rectum. We present a method for the architectural and volumetric analysis of the rectum which makes use of a computerized 3-D reconstruction and CT scans of cross-sections of the rectum. The technique is simple, fast, yet potentially reliable. An attempt has been made to calculate the volume, area and average diameter of non-distended rectums (normal). Once we can standardize the technique, then we can study dimensions of the rectum in adult males and females. This thesis constitutes a unified presentation of the essential aspects of the method used in this study. We plan to study the dimensions of distended rectums (normal) measured in single column Barium Enema X-rays in two views. Once the technique is standardized, it can be applied to study the dimensions of diseased rectums

Psychology Case Record

BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER CURRENTLY MANIA WITH PSYCHOTIC FEATURES: According to the informant, 5week back, patient was noticed by his mother to be awake frequently during the night. He would be going through the religious books. Gradually he was observed to be sleeping less and spending long hours with his books. He would turn irritable if his mother asked him to rest. He would disturb his mother during night and insist that she listen to his plans of making a new business. At times he would abuse, assault his mother especially if she asked him to stop talking. He would start singing suggestive songs and dancing whenever he saw a girl passing by for which he was frequently warned. He would talk about past happenings, about how his friends cheated him and were jealous of him, continuously creating problems so that his plans were spoiled. He would be seen sitting on bed, talking as though he were speaking to somebody in front of him. No history of hearing voices, suicidal ideas. No history of substance abuse, head injury or fits. PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA: Mrs. E, got married 3 yrs ago, she was normal upto One year after marriage, then husband noticed that she did not mingle with family members and preferred to stay alone. Initially she suspected her husband that her husband had physical relationship with many women, then she suspected that her husband had physical relationship with her sister. and she complained to her mother that her neighbours were always talking about her, They planned to harm her. She quarreled with her neighbours and assaulted them. 2 weeks later, she suspected that her family members mixed poison in her food, gradually she began to talk alone; not do her routine house hold activities .she had decreased appetite. She did not take food in adequate amount. She did not take care of her personal hygiene as before. She took bath and brushed her on compulsion by her mother. No H/O Repetitive thoughts and acts. No H/O head injury /seizures. No H/O suicidal ideation /attempt. ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE SYNDROME: The patient who was brought by his wife, he started to use alcohol 21 yrs ago along with his friends for pleasure, he gradually increases frequency as well as quantity over the time. For the past 5 yrs he used to have almost daily and start to have early in the morning, he was an auto driver, for his alcoholic behavior he spent most of the money for alcohol and frequent absent in work so his productivity decreased. Because of that he had frequent interpersonal problem with wife. Before 1 week for the welfare of the family and concern with his physical condition he quit alcohol since he had sleeplessness. No H/O withdrawal Seizures | Suicide Attempt No H/O head injury | Seizures | hemetemesis | Malena. MENTAL RETARDATION- MODERATE: Patient was married 5 yrs ago, since marriage itself she didn’t do any basic routine activities, initially husband tried to train her but he was unable to do so, she always prefered to simply sit in home. gradually she was able to do simple activities like cleaning house but that too not completely. She was not interested in her personal hygiene, she could do only after repeated instruction by husband, for past 2 months she was aggressive and threw the things in home and inappropriately crying most of the time. No H/O Head injury / loc. No H/O Seizures. No H/O Fever before the onset of illness. No H/O Suicidal ideation / attempt. OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER: As per the patient, he started having his problems insidiously, beginning with doubts about simple activities like locking a door, counting money, etc. He had to check and recheck to satisfy himself. This progressed to irrational thoughts that his hand would be contaminated and subsequent repeating washing of his hand. He recognized these thoughts as his own and irrational unwanted ones, but he could not control the anxiety associated with this. But his anxiety was not associated with palpitations, tremor, sweating and difficulty in breathing. He took more time to bathe and wash, he was unable to concentrate any work and produced significant impairment in his studies and daily activities. No h/o head injury, seizures, talking to self, hearing voices. No h/o suicidal attempt, Ideation

Chromium Removal from Aqueous Medium Using Modified Sawdust

One of the serious environmental issues is the presence of toxic heavy metals contaminants in water bodies because of discharge of untreated heavy metals due to urbanization, combustion byproducts, automobile emissions, mining activities.Chromium is widely used in many industries and usually present in high concentration in the aqueous medium. This study involved the investigation of the adsorption of hexavalent form of the heavy metal (Cr) by modified teakwood sawdust. The study demonstrated that the teak wood sawdust has a moderate potential to remove hexavalent chromium.The equilibrium data of adsorption very well fitted into the models and the maximum loading capacity was obtained from adsorption isotherms by applying the Langmuir model. Keywords: Hexavalent chromium, sawdust, adsorbent,aqueous solution,batch adsorption experiments

Substrate Integrated Waveguide Horn Slot Antenna Array

Substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is a rectangular dielectric-filled waveguide, which is synthesized in a planar substrate with arrays of metallic vias to realize bilateral side walls and its transitions with planar structures. These vias act as walls of the waveguide supporting current flow, thus allowing for waveguide mode propagation. Substrate integrated waveguide is suggested for low-loss, low-cost and high density integration applications. SIW preserves the advantages from both the traditional rectangular waveguide and microstrip for easy integration. It is used in designing passive circuits such as resonators, couplers, filters, power dividers, circulators, and antennas. Here, full wave analysis is used to design microwave components such as power dividers, T-junctions and right angle bends. Then a transmission line concept is used to construct a feeding network based on these components to speed up the design process. This concept is verified with full wave analysis. Co-simulation technique is investigated and implemented for the feeding network using these passive components resulting in reduced computation time. The response of the feeding network with the antennas such as an H-plane horn in an array environment is investigated. In the process, modified designs for the H-plane horn with a novel concept of a slot on the H-plane horn are achieved and used as elements for the linear arrays