Spatiotemporal Modeling Encounters 3D Medical Image Analysis: Slice-Shift UNet with Multi-View Fusion

As a fundamental part of computational healthcare, Computer Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provide volumetric data, making the development of algorithms for 3D image analysis a necessity. Despite being computationally cheap, 2D Convolutional Neural Networks can only extract spatial information. In contrast, 3D CNNs can extract three-dimensional features, but they have higher computational costs and latency, which is a limitation for clinical practice that requires fast and efficient models. Inspired by the field of video action recognition we propose a new 2D-based model dubbed Slice SHift UNet (SSH-UNet) which encodes three-dimensional features at 2D CNN's complexity. More precisely multi-view features are collaboratively learned by performing 2D convolutions along the three orthogonal planes of a volume and imposing a weights-sharing mechanism. The third dimension, which is neglected by the 2D convolution, is reincorporated by shifting a portion of the feature maps along the slices' axis. The effectiveness of our approach is validated in Multi-Modality Abdominal Multi-Organ Segmentation (AMOS) and Multi-Atlas Labeling Beyond the Cranial Vault (BTCV) datasets, showing that SSH-UNet is more efficient while on par in performance with state-of-the-art architectures

Quadra-Statistical Modeling Of Corrosion Penetration Rate (CPR) Of Martensitic and Annealed Stainless Steel in H2SO4 and HCl.

A lucid quadratic model graphs and equations has been successfully generated after corrosion characterization behavior analysis of cast stainless steel (70.90% Fe, 19% Cr 10%Ni, 0.08% C) alloys in (0.25M- 0.5M) H2SO4 and (0.25M- 0.5M) HCl using SPSS computer software. The cast stainless steel specimen were sectioned into three sets labeled M, A, U and machined to the same cross sectional area. M and A were subjected to a temperature of 900oC (1173K or 1652oF) where the grains formed austenitic phase which was further heat-treated to form martensitic stainless steel (M) and annealed stainless steel (A) test coupons respectively. Then, (U) was left untreated as a control test coupon sample. These pre-weighed test coupon samples were immersed in 0.25M and 0.5M simulated tetraoxosulphate (vi) acid (H2SO4) and Hydrochloric acid (HCl) respectively. The.......

Biosorption of heavy metals in industrial wastewater using micro-organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa)

Heavy metal ions are often present in industrial wastewater, and sometimes there is the need to reduce their concentrations to some certain minimum. Biosorption is one of the methods by which this reduction can be achieved. The purpose of this study is to explore the biosorption technique as an alternative to conventional methods such as reverse osmosis, electro dialysis, ultra filtration, ion-exchange and chemical precipitation in the removal of heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater. Biosorption of the heavy metals namely cadmium, zinc and silicate were conducted using Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Samples of wastewater from an industrial source were collected in a 2L container and poured into six containers. Measured quantities of the biomass were then introduced into the samples. The concentrations of heavy metals in the samples were determined with an atomic absorption spectrometer. The results yielded a significant reduction in the heavy metal ion concentrations in the samples, with even the highest initial concentration greatly reduced. Biosorption technique can be a very good alternative to conventional methods in terms of availability of materials, cost-effectiveness and absence of precipitates and slurry

Biodisinfection and Coagulant Properties of Mixed Garcinia kola and Carica papaya Seeds Extract for Water Treatment

Garcinia kola (Heckel) and Carica papaya (Linn.) seeds from ripe fruits were investigated for their disinfection and coagulation activity in water. The phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloid, saponins, flavonoid and tannins in both seeds. Physicochemical analysis of the water samples was determined before and after treatment with seed solutions. Results showed that mixed Garcinia kola and Carica papaya extracts had no significant effect (P > .05) on temperature, pH, conductivity and chloride but significantly reduced (P = .05) TDS, BOD, nitrate, nitrite and turbidity. The coagulation and antimicrobial efficiency of mixed Garcinia kola Heckel and Carica papaya seed solution at different concentrations on turbid surface water (collected from Ogbor Hill River in Aba) were studied and compared. Microbial reduction for mixed extract of Garcinia kola and Carica papaya solution showed antimicrobial efficiency of 41.67 – 83.33% for Total coliform, 47.85 – 60.89% for E. coli, 12.87-83.33% for Fecal streptococcus, 40.46 – 83.33% for staphylococcus Aureus and 50.43 – 74.36% for Total heterotrophic bacteria at different concentration. Mixed Garcinia kola and Carica papaya seed solution reduced the turbidity perfectly at the optimum doze of 3% at which 67.83% turbidity was removed by mixed solution. Garcina kola and Carica papaya seeds are non toxic and do not significantly affect the pH and conductivity of the treated water. So, as natural coagulants, both seeds may be potentially viable for treating water

Comparative Analysis of Corrosion Behavior of Martensitic and Annealed Stainless Steel in H2SO4 and NaOH

Using weight lose techniques (WLT), the comparative analysis of the corrosion characterization behavior of cast stainless steel (70.90% Fe, 19% Cr 10%Ni, 0.0% C) alloys in ( 0.25M- 0.5M)   H2SO4 and NaOH has been evaluated. The cast stainless steel specimen was sectioned  into three sets labeled M, A, U and machined to the same cross sectional area. M and A is subjected to a temperature of 900oC (1173K or 1652oF) where the grains forms austenitic phase which was further heat- treated  to form martensitic stainless steel (M) and annealed stainless steel (A) test coupon respectively. Then, (U) is left untreated as a control test coupon sample. These preweighed test coupon samples were immersed in 0.25M and 0.5M simulated  tetraoxosulphate (vi) acid (H2SO4) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) respectively. The experimental process is allowed for a total of 168hr with each set withdrawn 24hr interval for weight lose analysis. The findings showed that of a passivating metals with initial steady rise in corrosion penetration rate (CPR) followed by gradual decrease in CPR which increases as molar concentration increase for the annealed specimen(A) in  H2S04 while the martensitic test specimen(M) is severely attacked in NaOH. The annealed specimen exhibit high passivity in   H2S04 with lowest CPR of 0.0071mm/yr. The severe attack of the annealed specimen is due to increase in ionization which results in redistribution of grain boundary structure. Key words: Passivation, Corrosion  kinetics, Basic Environment, Acidic Environment, Martensitic, Annealing, Weight Lose Techniques, Austenitic phase

Use of Polyethylene Tube Biodigester for fish production and Processing -A Review

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Life Cycle Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Using Concrete or Timber to Construct a Duplex Residential Building

Traditionally, the choice of construction materials depended principally on the strengths of materials, cost of material, availability of materials, simplicity of erection, aesthetics and technical expertise available to the society. This meant that little attention was paid to the environment impacts of materials adopted for civil construction. After centuries of speedy advancement accompanied by deteriorating ecosystem as evidenced by the global climate change and the accompanying gap between the rich and the poor, the world is becoming more conscious of the ecosystem and the future of mankind. This has led to the growing quest for sustainable development. In the more recent years, environmental and sustainability factors are becoming compelling factors in the choice of construction materials. Researches focused on materials for affordable houses for the increasing low income masses are on the increase. This research focuses on the environmental impact performance of concrete and timber applied to a modest duplex residential building. It explores using Athena Impact Estimator software to model the greenhouses gases expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents, sulphur dioxide equivalents, phosphate equivalents and ethane equivalents potentials obtainable from using concrete or timber to build a duplex residential building. From the various results obtained, it is very evident that timber construction is more eco-friendly in terms of carbon emission reduction which translates to reducing global warming, thermal insulation and energy efficiency. This will be helpful in making choice for building materials to be adopted for affordable houses developing countries

Knowledge and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Enugu metropolis, Enugu state, Nigeria

BackgroundCOVID-19 disease spread at an alarming rate, and was declared a pandemic within 5 months from the first reported case. As vaccines have become available, there was a global effort to attain about 75% herd immunity through vaccination. There is a need to address the issue of vaccine hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccines especially in places such as Sub-Saharan African countries which have a high rate of background vaccine hesitancy.ObjectiveTo determine the knowledge and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Enugu metropolis.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study of 103 HCWs in Enugu metropolis was done. Data was collected using structured online Google forms. Descriptive and inferential statistics was done using SPSS, and results were summarized into percentages and associations.ResultsAn acceptance rate of 56.2% was obtained among HCWs in Enugu metropolis. Positive predicators of acceptance include older age (p = 0.004, X2 = 13.161), marriage (p = 0.001, X2 = 13.996), and higher average level of income (p = 0.013, X2 = 10.766) as significant correlations were found. No significant association was found between educational level, religion, denomination nor occupation, and acceptance of vaccine. The major factor responsible for refusal was fear of side-effects.DiscussionThe acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccines among HCWs is still less than optimal. This population represents the most enlightened population on health related matters, hence if acceptance rate remains merely average that in the general population is expected to be worse. There is a need to address the fear of vaccine side-effects by inculcating more open and interactive methods of information dissemination, while also addressing the misconceptions or myths surrounding COVID-19 vaccines

Effect of Vernonia amygdalina Ethanolic Root Extract on the Hepato- and Nephro-Protective Properties of Albino Rats (Rattus novergicus)

The hepato- and nephro-protective potentials of Vernonia amygdalina ethanolic root extract was evaluated for 14 days using standard bioassay in 45 normal male albino rats. The rats were divided into four treatment groups I – IV and a control group V. Groups I – IV were given 100mg.kg-1, 200mg.kg-1, 400mg.kg-1 and 600mg.kg-1 body weight, respectively while the control (group V) was given equal volume of feed and water. The extracts were administered orally to the animals for 14 days. Blood samples were collected using the ocular puncture method before and weekly after administration to evaluate the extracts’ effects on aspartate transaminase (AST), acid phosphatase (ACP), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. The mean serum levels of the liver marker enzymes AST, ACP, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin ranged from 10.00±0.53 to 11.44±0.44, 31.29±0.64 to 33.14±0.56, 27.22±0.94 to 29.67±0.37 and 37.83±0.59 to 40.57±1.02, 3.42±0.08 to 3.61±0.07 and 2.06±0.11 to 2.51±0.05 respectively. The mean levels of the nephrotic enzymes, creatinine and BUN also ranged from 39.87±1.79 to 43.04±1.57 and 6.62±0.21 to 15.98±0.17 accordingly. Although no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the serum levels of the liver marker enzymes and creatinine when compared with the control, a dose and duration dependent significant increase (p<0.05) occurred in the BUN level. This tends to suggest that the ethanolic root extract of Vernonia amygdalina on a short term basis has some hepato-protective property while its nephro-protective ability is still doubtful. Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, Ethanolic root extract, Liver maker enzymes, Nephrotic enzymes, Albino rat