Multiparametric Imaging and MR Image Texture Analysis in Brain Tumors

Discrimination of tumor from radiation injured (RI) tissues and differentiation of tumor types using noninvasive imaging is essential for guiding surgical and radiotherapy treatments are some of the challenges that clinicians face in the course of treatment of brain tumors. The first objective in this thesis was to develop a method to discriminate between glioblastoma tumor recurrences and radiation injury using multiparametric characterization of the tissue incorporating conventional magnetic resonance imaging signal intensities and diffusion tensor imaging parameters. Our results show significant correlations in the RI that was missing in the tumor regions. These correlations may aid in differentiating between tumor recurrence and RI. The second objective of was to investigate whether texture based image analysis of routine MR images would provide quantitative information that could be used to differentiate between glioblastoma and metastasis. Our results demonstrate that first-order texture feature of standard deviation and second-order texture features of entropy, inertia, homogeneity, and energy show significant differences between the two groups. The third objective was to investigate whether quantitative measurements of tumor size and appearance on MRI scans acquired prior to helical tomotherapy (HT) type whole brain radiotherapy with simultaneous infield boost treatment could be used to differentiate responder and non-responder patient groups. Our results demonstrated that smaller size lesions may respond better to this type of radiation therapy. Measures of appearance provided limited added value over measures of size for response prediction. Quantitative measurements of rim enhancement and core necrosis performed separately did not provide additional predictive value

Socio-Psychological Profile of Olympic Bronze Medallist Hockey Player Mr Sumit Valmiki: A Case Study

Purpose: -Games and Sports play a significant role in society, to promote physical fitness, to give them entertainment, and to develop a sense of community. They have the power to inspire and unite people across cultures and contribute to personal and societal well-being. Games and Sport is considered one of the foundational pillars of the holistic advancement of civilized societies. The aim of the Researchers was to explore the Socio-Psychological Factors and experiences that have influenced Mr. Sumit Valmiki's performance and success as an Olympic Bronze Medalist Methodology: - The original information was collected from the subject as a primary source. Researchers used the “Frustration Test” by Dr N. S Chauhan and Dr. Govind Tiwari, the “Self-Confidence Inventory” Developed by Rekha Gupta, “Sports Achievement Motivation Questionnaire” by M.L. Kamlesh, and the “Aggression Questionnaire by Km. Roma Pal is a tool for the collection of the data in this study. Result: -By applying the above-mentioned tools and analyzing the collected data, it was found that Mr. Sumit Valmiki possesses unique characteristics, outstanding abilities, extraordinary potential, and excellent Hockey-playing qualities. Further, it has been found that he is having an optimal level of Frustration and an average level of Self-Confidence and the ability to be confident in difficult situations and to solve problems. Conclusion It has also been found that he is having High levels of Sports Achievement Motivation. He has the ability to develop competence for success within his chosen field. He is also having a low level of Aggression and the ability to remain cool and calm

Convective dehydration kinetics of noodles prepared from taro (Colocasia esculenta), rice (Oryza sativa) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) flours

Drying characteristics of noodles prepared from 50% taro and remaining equal proportions of rice and pigeonpea flours were investigated in a convective type dryer for a temperature range of 50°C to 80°C at a constant air velocity of     1.5 m s-1.  Results indicated that drying took place in falling rate period.  The sample dried at 50°C was found better in color as compared to samples at 60°C, 70°C and 80°C.  The rehydration weight of noodles decreased with the increase in drying temperature.  Moisture transfer from noodles was described by applying Fick’s diffusion model and the effective moisture diffusivity was calculated.  Effective moisture diffusivity increased with increase in temperature.  An Arrhenius relation with activation energy of 38.53 kJ mol-1 expressed the effect of temperature on moisture diffusivity.  Mathematical models were fitted to the experimental data and the performance of these models were evaluated by comparing the coefficient of determination (R2), Root mean square error (RMSE), reduced chi-square (χ2), percent mean relative deviation modulus (E%) between observed and predicted moisture ratio.  Verma model gave the best results for describing the drying behaviour of noodles.   Keywords: noodle, taro, dehydration kinetics, temperature, moistur

Performance of a Hazardous Waste and Sanitary Landfill Subjected to Loma Prieta Earthquake

Loma Prieta Earthquake of October 17, 1989 caused severe damages in the San Francisco Bay Area. Field measurements made during the earthquake and analyses performed to date indicate that bedrock accelerations were amplified to 2 to 3 times in propagating through deep cohesive deposits. In view of this, the performance of a hazardous waste and sanitary landfill subjected to Loma Prieta Earthquake and founded on deep cohesive deposits was evaluated. Analyses indicate that the peak accelerations at the base of the refuse are slightly amplified in propagating through the refuse thicknesses of up to about 50 feet. For higher refuse thicknesses, the peak base acceleration attenuates significantly. Slope stability and liquefaction analyses were also performed using these accelerations. The results indicate some but small potential for plastic deformation. These results were supported by the post-earthquake field inspection and the field data collected during the earthquake

Permeability Evaluation Through Chitosan Membranes Using Taguchi Design

In the present study, chitosan membranes capable of imitating permeation characteristics of diclofenac diethylamine across animal skin were prepared using cast drying method. The effect of concentration of chitosan, concentration of cross-linking agent (NaTPP), crosslinking time was studied using Taguchi design. Taguchi design ranked concentration of chitosan as the most important factor influencing the permeation parameters of diclofenac diethylamine. The flux of the diclofenac diethylamine solution through optimized chitosan membrane (T9) was found to be comparable to that obtained across rat skin. The mathematical model developed using multilinear regression analysis can be used to formulate chitosan membranes that can mimic the desired permeation characteristics. The developed chitosan membranes can be utilized as a substitute to animal skin for in vitro permeation studies

Estudo preliminar sobre a ocorrência de fungos queratinofílicos em solos da Jamaica

This report represents the first study of keratinophilic fungi present in soils of Jamaica. Out of the 40 soil samples examined from different habitats, 30 (75%) were positive for the presence of keratinophilic fungi, yielding 36 isolates of keratinophilic fungi. Microsporum gypseum complex (represented by 16 isolates of M. gypseum, and four of M. fulvum) was most frequent, being present in 50% of the samples. A very high occurrence of this dermatophyte in Jamaican soil is of public health significance. The remaining isolates of keratinophilic fungi were represented by Chrysosporium spp (mainly C. indicum and C. tropicum) and Sepedonium sp.Esta comunicação representa o primeiro estudo sobre fungos queratinofílicos presentes em solos da Jamaica. De 40 amostras de solo examinadas de diferentes localidades, 30 (75%) foram positivas para a presença de fungos queratinofílicos permitindo 36 isolamentos dos mesmos. O complexo Microsporum gypseum (representados por 16 isolamentos de M. gypseum e quatro de M. fulvum) foi o mais frequente, estando presente em 50% das amostras. A muito alta ocorrência deste dermatófito no solo da Jamaica é significante para a saúde pública. Os isolados remanescentes de fungos queratinofílicos foram representados pelo Chrysosporium spp (principalmente C. indicum e C. tropicum) e Sepedonium sp

Analysis of AODV for Mobile Ad Hoc Network

An Ad hoc network is a self - configuring infrastructure less network of mobile devices connected by wireless . Routing of information differentiate these networks from other ad - hoc networks. The study of wireless sensor network is done by performing simulation done in MATLAB that can help in better understanding of behavior of various routing protocols. The motive of the mobile Ad - hoc network working group is to standardize IP routing protocol functionality suitable for wireless routing application within both static and dynamic topologies with increased dynamics due to node motion and other factors. AODV provide Quick adaptation under dynamic link conditions, Consume less network bandwidth (less broadcast) AODV is routing protocols which provide a route to destination node on demand

Carbon Sequestration Potential of Pasture-Based Systems Along an Altitudinal Gradient in the North-Western Himalayas

The present investigation was carried out in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh (India) to identify the pasture-based land use systems being practiced by farmers and to find out their carbon sequestration potential along different altitudes. For carrying out the study, the area was divided into four altitudinal ranges viz., zone-I (\u3c1000 m amsl), zone-II (1000-1500 m amsl), zone-III (1500- 2500 m amsl) and zone-IV (\u3e 2500 m amsl), according to agro-ecological zones in the state. Results revealed that the pasture-based systems practiced by the farmers in the altitudinal zone-I and zone-II were silvo-pasture and pastoral-silviculture, while, at altitudinal zone-III and zone-IV, the pasture-based systems being practiced were pastoral-silviculture and horti-pastoral depending upon the composition of the components. The aboveground biomass was found ranging between 27.78- 38.18 Mg ha-1 among different pasture-based land use systems with maximum aboveground biomass under silvo-pasture system and minimum under pastoral-silviculture. Along altitudinal gradient, aboveground biomass was found to have been increased with values varying between 29.09- 34.12 Mg ha-1 . Belowground biomass ranged between 6.93- 9.80 Mg ha-1 in different systems under consideration and generally showed increasing trend with increasing altitude. Overall biological productivity was found to be highest under silvo-pasture system followed by horti-pastoral and pastoral-silviculture system. Being biologically most productive, silvopasture system stored maximum carbon stock and ultimately sequestered more carbon as compared to the other systems. The estimated vegetation carbon sequestration potential of the pasture-based systems was 63.71- 88.06 Mg ha-1 , while, along altitude the carbon sequestration potential varied from 67.14- 78.62 Mg ha-1 showing increasing trend with altitude