A 2D processing algorithm for detecting landmines using Ground Penetrating Radar data

Ground Penetrating Radar(GPR) is one of a number of technologies that have been used to improve landmine detection efficiency. The clutter environment within the first few cm of the soil where landmines are buried, exhibits strong reflections with highly non-stationary statistics. An antipersonnel mine(AP) can have a diameter as low as 2cm whereas many soils have very high attenuation frequencies above 3GHZ. The landmine detection problem can be solved by carrying out system level analysis of the issues involved to synthesise an image which people can readily understand. The SIMCA (’SIMulated Correlation Algorithm’) is a technique that carries out correlation between the actual GPR trace that is recorded at the field and the ideal trace which is obtained by carrying out GPR simulation. The SIMCA algorithm firstly calculates by forward modelling a synthetic point spread function of the GPR by using the design parameters of the radar and soil properties to carry out radar simulation. This allows the derivation of the correlation kernel. The SIMCA algorithm then filters these unwanted components or clutter from the signal to enhance landmine detection. The clutter removed GPR B scan is then correlated with the kernel using the Pearson correlation coefficient. This results in a image which emphasises the target features and allows the detection of the target by looking at the brightest spots. Raising of the image to an odd power >2 enhances the target/background separation. To validate the algorithm, the length of the target in some cases and the diameter of the target in other cases, along with the burial depth obtained by the SIMCA system are compared with the actual values used during the experiments for the burial depth and those of the dimensions of the actual target. Because, due to the security intelligence involved with landmine detection and most authors work in collaboration with the national government military programs, a database of landmine signatures is not existant and the authors are also not able to publish fully their algorithms. As a result, in this study we have compared some of the cleaned images from other studies with the images obtained by our method, and I am sure the reader would agree that our algorithm produces a much clearer interpretable image

The SIMCA algorithm for processing Ground Penetrating Radar data and its use in landmine detection

The main challenge of ground penetrating radar (GPR) based land mine detection is to have an accurate image analysis method that is capable of reducing false alarms. However an accurate image relies on having sufficient spatial resolution in the received signal. But because the diameter of an AP mine can be as low as 2cm and many soils have very high attenuations at frequencies above 3GHz, the accurate detection of landmines is accomplished using advanced algorithms. Using image reconstruction and by carrying out the system level analysis of the issues involved with recognition of landmines allows the landmine detection problem to be solved. The SIMCA (’SIMulated Correlation Algorithm’) is a novel and accurate landmine detection tool that carries out correlation between a simulated GPR trace and a clutter1 removed original GPR trace. This correlation is performed using the MATLAB R processing environment. The authors tried using convolution and correlation. But in this paper the correlated results are presented because they produced better results. Validation of the results from the algorithm was done by an expert GPR user and 4 other general users who predict the location of landmines. These predicted results are compared with the ground truth data

The SIMCA algorithm for processing Ground Penetrating Radar data and its use in locating foundations in demolished buildings

Abstract—The main challenge of ground penetrating radar GPR) based foundation detection is to have an accurate image analysis method. In order to solve the detection problem a system level analysis of the issues involved with the recognition of foundations using image reconstruction is required. The SIMCA (’SIMulated Correlation Algorithm’) is a technique based on an area correlation between the trace that would be returned by an ideal point reflector in the soil conditions at the site and the actual trace. During an initialization phase, SIMCA carries out radar simulation using the design parameters of the radar and soil properties. Then SIMCA takes the raw data as the radar is scanned over the ground and in real-time uses a clutter removal technique to remove various clutter such as cross talk, initial ground reflection and antenna ringing. The trace which would be returned by a target under these conditions is then used to form a correlation kernel. The GPR b-scan is then correlated with the kernel using the Pearson correlation coefficient, resulting in a correlated image which is brightest at points most similar to the canonical target. This image is then raised to an odd power >2 to enhance the target/background separation. To validate and compare the algorithm, photographs of the building before it was demolished along with processed data using the REFLEXW package were used. The results produced by the SIMCA algorithm were very promising and were able to locate some features that the REFLEXW package were not able to identify

A 3D Reconstruction Algorithm for the Location of Foundations in Demolished Buildings

The location of foundations in a demolished building can be accomplished by undertaking a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey and then to use the GPR data to generate 3D isosurfaces of what was beneath the soil surface using image reconstruction. The SIMCA ('SIMulated Correlation Algorithm') algorithm is a technique based on a comparison between the trace that would be returned by an ideal point reflector in the soil conditions at the site and the actual trace. During an initialization phase, SIMCA carries out radar simulation using the design parameters of the radar and the soil properties. The trace which would be returned by a target under these conditions is then used to form a kernel. Then SIMCA takes the raw data as the radar is scanned over the ground and removes clutter using a clutter removal technique. The system correlates the kernel with the data by carrying out volume correlation and produces 3D images of the surface of subterranean objects detected. The 3D isosurfaces are generated using MATLAB software. The validation of the algorithm has been accomplished by comparing the 3D isosurfaces produced by the SIMCA algorithm, Scheers algorithm and REFLEXW commercial software. Then the depth and the position in the x and y directions as obtained using MATLAB software for each of the cases are compared with the corresponding values approximately obtained from original Architect's drawings of the buildings

Change in the room temperature magnetic property of ZnO upon Mn doping

We present in this paper the changes in the room temperature magnetic property of ZnO on Mn doping prepared using solvo-thermal process. The zero field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) magnetisation of undoped ZnO showed bifurcation and magnetic hysteresis at room temperature. Upon Mn doping the magnetic hysteresis at room temperature and the bifurcation in ZFC-FC magnetization vanishes. The results seem to indicate that undoped ZnO is ferromagnetic while on the other hand the Mn doped ZnO is not a ferromagnetic system. We observe that on addition of Mn atoms the system shows antiferromagnetism with very giant magnetic moments.Comment: 5 figure

DIVeR: a dynamic interactive video retrieval protocol for disk array based servers

Video-on-demand (VOD) is a very promising multimedia application of the near future. In order for such a service to be commercially viable, efficient storage and retrieval schemes need to be designed. A scheme for grouping MPEG frames into segments wherein no frames are discarded during fast playback is proposed. In addition, the Dynamic Interactive Video Retrieval (DIVeR) protocol is introduced for scheduling the retrieval of multiple users from disk-array servers.published_or_final_versio

Doppler study (cerebroplacental ratio) as a predictor of adverse perinatal outcome

Background: Objective of the current study was to determine the importance of Doppler screening (cerebroplacental ratio i.e. CPR) in antenatal mothers and its effect on perinatal outcome of the baby so that appropriate management can be planned effectively for a better reduction in perinatal mortality and morbidity.Methods: A prospective study conducted on hundred antenatal women in GMKMCH, Salem with gestational age >32 weeks, with singleton pregnancies. Doppler ultrasonogram of fetal middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery and thus CPR obtained.Results: 25 out of the 100 patients in the study had CPR1 helps to rule out adverse perinatal outcomes. When CPR<1, it acts as an effective tool in helping the obstetrician to decide on the mode of delivery to ensure that the baby is delivered within 12 hours of diagnosis, to improve the perinatal outcome of the baby

Study of prevalence of heart disease in antenatal mothers along with fetal and maternal outcome from a tertiary care hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Incidence of pregnancy in women with heart disease is increasing due to the increasing number of women with congenital heart disease. Although most cardiac conditions are well tolerated during pregnancy, there are some conditions that have adverse fetal and maternal outcome. Objective of this study is to study the prevalence of heart disease in antenatal mothers and fetal outcome with obstetric management.Methods: This is a prospective observational study carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital during January 2018 to March 2019 for a period of fifteen months. Authors included 149 antenatal mothers with heart disease and analysed the data using percentage analysis through excel software.Results: Incidence of heart disease in pregnancy was observed to be 1.2%. Rheumatic heart disease being 73.8%, congenital being 22.8% and complete heart block was 3.4%. Among rheumatic heart disease mitral stenosis was the most common lesion. Atrial septal defect was the most common congenital heart disease. The mean gestational age of delivery was 37 to 38 weeks. 58% delivered by vaginal route. Most common neonatal complication was prematurity. Pregnancy and neonatal outcome were favorable.Conclusions: Heart disease complicating pregnancy has increased due to late marriage, obesity, hypertension and diabetes. Early referral, regular follow-up and multi-disciplinary approach with tertiary care back-up will bring a favorable maternal and neonatal outcome in patients with heart disease

Prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its maternal outcome in a tertiary care hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Hypertensive disorders complicate 5-10% of all pregnancies and together forms the deadly triad- along with hemorrhage and heart disease that contributes greatly to maternal morbidity and mortality. Objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its maternal complications in patients attending obstetrics and gynaecology department, Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem.Methods: This is a prospective study conducted from August 2018 to July 2019 in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology. Patients diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was evaluated and data were collected.Results: A total of 19,383 pregnant women visited obstetrics and gynaecology department over a period of one year, out of which 2028 were diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Hence the prevalence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy is 10.4%. Among 2028 hypertensive disorder cases, Gestational hypertension were 962 cases (47.4%), pre-eclampsia 661 cases (32.6%), chronic hypertension 166 cases (8.2%) and pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension 239 cases (11.8%). The prevalence was highest among primigravida (54%) compared to multigravida (46%). Hypertensive disorders were highest among the age group of 18-22 years in our study. Most common maternal complication in our study was HELLP syndrome.Conclusions: Prevalence of hypertensive disorders was high in our study. Early detection and timely intervention decrease the maternal complications

QuIVeR: A class of interactive video retrieval protocols

Video-on-demand (VOD) servers need to be efficiently designed in order to support a large number of users viewing the same or different videos at different rates. In this paper, we propose the Quasi-static Interactive Video Retrieval (QuIVeR) Protocol for this purpose when disk-array based video servers are used. Five variations - QuIVeR-1, QuIVeR-2, QuIVeR-3, QuIVeR-4 and QuIVeR-5 - are presented. The properties as well as the relative merits and demerits of each protocol are discussed. The protocols require no buffer at the server and hence, all retrieved segments are immediately transmitted to the appropriate users. The amount of buffer required at each user's set-top box is reduced to two video segments. Guarantees are provided for the avoidance of video starvation as well as buffer overflow at each user's set-top box. Numerical results, obtained using data from an MPEG coded `Star Wars' video, are provided.published_or_final_versio