Reinforcement Learning Based Sensor Optimization for Bio-markers

Radio frequency (RF) biosensors, in particular those based on inter-digitated capacitors (IDCs), are pivotal in areas like biomedical diagnosis, remote sensing, and wireless communication. Despite their advantages of low cost and easy fabrication, their sensitivity can be hindered by design imperfections, environmental factors, and circuit noise. This paper investigates enhancing the sensitivity of IDC-based RF sensors using novel reinforcement learning based Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (RLBPSO), and it is compared to Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), and other state-of-the-art methods. By focusing on optimizing design parameters like electrode design and finger width, the proposed study found notable improvements in sensor sensitivity. The proposed RLBPSO method shows best optimized design for various frequency ranges when compared to current state-of-the-art methods.Comment: 7 pages, 4 table

Empiric transcatheter arterial embolization for massive or recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding: Ten-year experience from a single tertiary care center

Purpose In patients with massive or recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) which is not amenable to endoscopic therapy, angiographic interventions are often employed. We report our ten-year experience of empiric transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for patients with massive or recurrent GIB. Methods All patients who had undergone empiric TAE at our hospital between March 2004 and June 2015 were identified using the institutional radiology information system. A retrospective chart review was performed using a structured pro forma. Technical success rate, 30-day clinical success rate, 30-day mortality rate, and rate of procedural complications were computed. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results A total of 32 patients had undergone empiric TAE for GIB during the study period. The median age of subjects was 56 years and two-thirds of them were male (68.7%). Gastroduodenal (n=24), ileocolic (n=3), left gastric (n=2), right gastroepiploic (n=1), and branches of superior and middle rectal arteries (n=1) were embolized using microcoils (n=25), polyvinyl alcohol particles (n=25), and gelatin sponge (n=3)--either alone or in combination. Technical and 30-day clinical success rates were 96.9% (31/32) and 71.9% (23/32), respectively. The 30-day mortality rate for our cohort was 21.9% (7/32). One patient developed re-bleeding at two days after the initial procedure and required repeat embolization. Coil migration (n=3) and access site hematoma (n=1) were the observed procedural complications. Conclusion Empiric TAE can be a useful treatment option for selected patients with massive or recurrent GIB that is not amenable to endoscopic therapy

A comparative study on efficacy of metoprolol and ivabradine in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction patients

Background: The ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a fatal disease, is rapidly extending in patients, worldwide. Therefore, proper and timely diagnosis followed by appropriate management becomes necessary. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of metoprolol and ivabradine in acute STEMI patients.Methods: This was an observational, comparative, in-hospital study carried out in patients admitted in the in-patient cardiac department, intensive cardiac care unit of a tertiary care centre in India. Total 60 patients diagnosed with acute ST-elevation MI were included in the study and were equally divided into two groups. Group 1 involved patients who were given metoprolol for treatment and group 2 involved patients who were given ivabradine. The patients were assessed in terms of heart rate, NYHA class, and ejection fraction. Follow-up of 30 days was taken in all patients.Results: Ivabradine reduced mean heart rate from 85.57 bpm at baseline to 78.23 bpm. Heart rate in the metoprolol group was reduced from 81.93 bpm to 76.47 bpm over the same time period. Metoprolol and ivabradine showed significant improvement in the ejection fraction volume during the in-hospitalization stay. Ivabradine showed a better improvement in ejection fraction when compared to metoprolol but the difference was not found to be statistically significant. Higher mortality was assessed in ivabradine group compared to metoprolol.Conclusions: The study gives the gold standard efficacy and mortality benefit of metoprolol, although ivabradine on the other hand gave better responses in heart rate reduction and improvements in ejection fraction

National guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

CounterAttack: Automated Casino Loss-Prevention System

Background:   Goal:  The main purpose of this system is to automatically monitor multiple simultaneous games of blackjack in multiple geographic locations to detect potential card counters, who might erase or negate any potential profits for the casino hosting the game.  Our cloud-based solution carries out this process by using existing camera infrastructure and distributed object recognition algorithms to detect chips and cards on the playing table.  Once this data is captured, our algorithms calculate the correlation between the player’s bets and the remaining cards in the deck to calculate the likelihood that the player is counting cards with the intent of removing the house’s advantage I the game. Faculty Adviser:   Professor Pooria YaghiniTry out our free client-side Python API access library!CounterAttackLPS.co

CounterAttack: Automated Casino Loss-Prevention System

Background:   Goal:  The main purpose of this system is to automatically monitor multiple simultaneous games of blackjack in multiple geographic locations to detect potential card counters, who might erase or negate any potential profits for the casino hosting the game.  Our cloud-based solution carries out this process by using existing camera infrastructure and distributed object recognition algorithms to detect chips and cards on the playing table.  Once this data is captured, our algorithms calculate the correlation between the player’s bets and the remaining cards in the deck to calculate the likelihood that the player is counting cards with the intent of removing the house’s advantage I the game. Faculty Adviser:   Professor Pooria YaghiniTry out our free client-side Python API access library!CounterAttackLPS.co

A High-Quality Random Number Generator Using Multistage Ring Oscillators and Fast Fourier Transform-Based Noise Extraction

Random Numbers are widely employed in cryptography and security applications. This paper presents a novel approach to generate high-quality random bitstreams by harnessing the inherent noise properties of ring oscillators. We implemented ring oscillators with varying numbers of stages (3, 5, and 7), different geometries and different startup voltages in Cadence and recorded their total output power, which includes the cumulative noise effects. Subsequently, we exported these power measurements to MATLAB, where we applied a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-based technique to extract the total noise characteristics for each ring oscillator. Using the obtained noise data, we generated separate random bitstreams of 10 million bits for the 3-stage, 5-stage, and 7-stage ring oscillators. The final random bitstream, consisting of 10 million bits, was created by performing a bitwise XOR operation on the bitstreams generated by each ring oscillator. The degree of randomness of the generated bitstreams was assessed using the NIST 800-22 statistical test suite. Remarkably, the final random bitstream exhibited strong robustness and suitability for cryptographic applications. This innovative approach leverages the noise properties of ring oscillators to create reliable random bitstreams, offering potential applications in secure communications and cryptography. The results highlight the feasibility of using ring oscillators as noise sources for random bit generation and underscore their effectiveness in meeting stringent randomness criteria

Incoherent beam combination of higher-order Gaussian beam in atmospheric turbulence

In this article, an incoherent beam combination of higher-order Gaussian beams through atmospheric turbulence is studied. An analytical expression of the combined intensity and spot size of higher-order Gaussian beams such as Hermite Gaussian (HG), Laguerre Gaussian (LG), and Bessel Gaussian (BG) are derived. The performance of these higher-order Gaussian beams is analyzed in various modes including the effect of beam wander, jitter, bore-sight error, Strehl ratio, and Visibility. A series of analytical simulations shows the intensity variation of 19 higher-order combined beams. Spot size, peak, and average intensity comparisons are made between various modes of higher-order Gaussian beam combinations. It is seen that the spot size of the combined beam increases rapidly in a higher mode of HG and LG beam. We evaluate the efficiency of combining beams at different distances, noting that it increases with higher mode orders and reaches its maximum with the HG22 mode. Additionally, we explore the performance of higher-order Gaussian beam combinations under varying ground turbulence conditions. We observe that higher modes such as HG22 and LG22 are more susceptible to strong turbulence compared to lower modes

Towards Development of a Simple Technique Based on Wavelength Specific Absorption for Quality Measurement of Flowing Water

Water quality assessment has undeniable value for humanity's well-being. Despite that, most of the existing techniques struggle to measure the quality of running water due to costly infrastructure or large evaluation time. Recently, quality measurement has been demonstrated using spectrum analysis. However, these modern systems need complicated signal processing algorithms and high processor capabilities for decision making, have elaborate optical assemblies and sizable power requirement making them bulky and expensive to operate. Thus, a refined technique with simplified implementation, low cost, and reliable long-time operation is essential to address this challenge. We present, for the first time to our knowledge, a holistic approach towards a simple and rapid method for determination of water quality parameters in flowing water. This is based on the selection of characteristic wavelengths for the parameters considered and usage of narrowband LEDs as the inspection light source. Thereby incorporating the benefits of optical sensing such as electromagnetic immunity, selectivity, sensitivity, etc. The specific wavelengths of 560nm, 860nm, and 635nm have been demonstrated to have a dominant effect due to pH, turbidity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) respectively, from regression analysis. Using only these wavelengths, an evaluation system capable of determining the light absorption after passing through water has been designed and developed. The obtained optical responses are subsequently related to water parameters, specifically pH, TDS, and turbidity. Experiments were performed to evaluate samples and then validate this technique against standard instruments for both flowing and sampled water setups. It is shown from the measurement results that pH, turbidity, and TDS have linear regression coefficients of 0.9773, 0.9617, 0.8271 and 0.9691, 0.9729, 0.76 for flowing and sampled water arrangements, respectively