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

Seismic Edge Detection by Application of Cepstral Decomposition to Data Driven Modeled Geologic Channel Feature in Niger Delta

Seismic edge detection algorithm unmasks blurred discontinuity in animage and its efficiency is dependent on the precession of the processingscheme adopted. Data-driven modeling is a fast machine learning schemeand a formal automatic version of the empirical approach in existence fora long time and which can be used in many different contexts. Here, a desired algorithm that can identify masked connection and correlation froma set of observations is built and used. Geologic models of hydrocarbonreservoirs facilitate enhanced visualization, volumetric calculation, wellplanning and prediction of migration path for fluid. In order to obtain newinsights and test the mappability of a geologic feature, spectral decomposition techniques i.e. Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), etc and Cepstral decomposition techniques, i.e Complex Cepstral Transform (CCT), etc can be employed. Cepstral decomposition is a new approach that extends the widely used process of spectral decomposition which is rigorous when analyzing very subtle stratigraphic plays and fractured reservoirs. This paper presents the results of the application of DFT and CCT to a two dimensional, 50Hz low impedance Channel sand model, representing typical geologic environment around a prospective hydrocarbon zone largely trapped in various types of channel structures. While the DFT represents the frequency and phase spectra of a signal, assumes stationarity and highlights the average properties of its dominant portion, assuming analytical, the CCTrepresents the quefrency and saphe cepstra of a signal in quefrency domain.The transform filters the field data recorded in time domain, and recoverslost sub-seismic geologic information in quefrency domain by separatingsource and transmission path effects. Our algorithm is based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) techniques and the programming code was written within Matlab software. It was developed from first principles and outside oil industry’s interpretational platform using standard processing routines.The results of the algorithm, when implemented on both commercial andgeneral platforms, were comparable. The cepstral properties of the channelmodel indicate that cepstral attributes can be utilized as powerful tool inexploration problems to enhance visualization of small scale anomaliesand obtain reliable estimates of wavelet and stratigraphic parameters. Thepractical relevance of this investigation is illustrated by means of sampleresults of spectral and cepstral attribute plots and pseudo-sections of phaseand saphe constructed from the model data. The cepstral attributes revealmore details in terms of quefrency required for clearer imaging and betterinterpretation of subtle edges/discontinuities, sand-shale interbedding, differences in lithology. These positively impact on production as they serveas basis for the interpretation of similar geologic situations in field data

Assessment and Modeling of Drawbar Power Necessities of Disc Plough in Sandy-clay Soil in South-East Nigeria

The incongruities between agro-ecological soil states demand statistical records of the performance of tillage equipment under various soil classifications for proper choice of implements to minimize charge, curtail energy wastage, and upsurge agricultural output. This research was carried out to assess and model the drawbar power requirements of disc plough on sandy-clay soil in South – East Nigeria that will help farmers predict the power requirements and detect the optimum value of power demand of the plough in orderto select apposite plough subject to the soil type for proficient and bravura productions. Results showed that the highest drawbar power of 5.42kW was achieved when the plough was engaged at full working width of 180 cm, at tillage depth of 15 cm and least operational speed of 6km/hr. The statistical analyses revealed that tillage depth and operational speed have a significant effect (p˂ 0.05) on the drawbar power of the disc plough compared to the effective working width of the plough.The quadratic model was statistically significant for the response (P ˂ 0.05). Results also pointed out that the coefficient of determination; R2 was 0.9759 for drawbar power, which indicated high correlations amid the factors. The adequacy Precision of 19.912 obtained indicated decorous indicator and that the models could navigate the design space. The optimum drawbar power of 4.95kW was achieved with the desirability of 1.000 at optimal effective working width of 119.06 cm, ploughing depth of 13.71 cm and operational speed of 7.74kmh-1. Farmers can henceforth, appraise and select the disc plough implements with the developed model equation

Body Temperature and Haematological Indices of Boars Exposed to Direct Solar Radiation

The effects of exposure to direct sun light on body temperature (BT) and blood profile (BP) of boars was studied using Large White and Large White x local F1 crossbred boars. The experiment involved three treatments: zero exposure (T1); 45 minutes (T2) and 60 minutes exposure (T3). Pigs were exposed between 13:30 and 14:45 hr daily for 4 weeks. Body temperature of control and exposed pigs was measured daily at the end of exposure. Blood samples were collected and analysed for LC, EC, HbC and PCV while MCV, MCH and MCHC were calculated from EC, HbC and PCV values. Ambient temperature (AT) averaged 27.84 oC indoors and 40.54 oC outdoors over the experimental period. There were significant genotype, treatment and interaction effects on most of the parameters studied. The LW boars were more severely affected by exposure to direct sunlight than the crossbred boars. It was concluded that wallow pits and shades should be provided for extensively managed pigs to enable them cope with the high thermal radiation and heat stress inherent in the tropics. Again, crossbreeding and selection for heat tolerance would ensure improved productivity in future. Key word: blood profile, body temperature, erythrocyte indices, Large White, local boar, thermoregulation

HETEROSIS FOR LITTER TRAITS IN NATIVE BY EXOTIC INBRED PIG CROSSES

ABSTRACT Inbred strains generated from native and exotic pigs were compared with their F 1 and F 2 backcross populations for a range of litter performance traits. Animals were intensively reared and at 81/2 months of age, the inbred genotypes from each strain were reciprocally mated to each other to generate F 1 crossbred genotypes; while gilts from each crossbred group were backcrossed to their male parents to obtain four backcross progeny groups. Results of the study showed that the litter performances were better in the crossbred groups than in the inbred parents and this improvement could be ascribed to the dominant genes from the exotic parents. Significant (P<0.05) heterosis was obtained in the crossbreds in most of the traits like prolificacy, nursing ability, sex-ratio, litter weight and gestation length. The heterosis observed in the litter traits was low and mostly non-significant. The backcross groups recorded residual heterosis in the litter traits monitored and the magnitude was higher in the exotic than in the native backcrosses. The results further indicate that the litter traits performance of the crossbred groups were mostly influenced by maternal, sex-linked, dominance and epistatic gene actions. It could be suggested that the litter traits of the native pig could be improved by cross-mating selected native and exotic backcross pigs. This could be followed by criss -crossing before group selection

Preparation of Carbon Brushes from Agro-Waste Materials Palm Kernels Shells for Automobile Industry

The carbon brush is mainly applied in a rotating shaft as an electrical contact in conducting current between static wires and moving parts. It is applied majorly in electric motors, alternators, and electric. The automobile industry has recently developed rapidly in the world with numerous novel kinds of motors with low power and high speed. The materials that are utilized in the manufacture of carbon brush are copper metal, amorphous carbon, graphite, retort cokes, petroleum coke, binders, lubricants, and some other metal powders serving various purposes. The major part of the carbon brushes is carbon which can be derived from carbonaceous materials such as agro-waste. The agro-waste of palm kernel shell was prepared through pyrolysis using an anaerobic furnace at 500 °C – 800 °C for five hours to obtain carbonaceous material. The carbon which is the main component was activated at this temperature using the physical activation method. The samplers produced contained copper, zinc, and molybdenum disulphide as a lubricant with a resin binder in a different ratio. The samples were characterized by several testing. The results showed that the hardness, bending strength 1125 N/mm2, resistivity 14 μΩcm, and bulk density 1026 g/cm3. These were compared with control samples from the industry which have Brinell hardness 398.22 BHN, bending strength 1305 N/mm2, resistivity 22 μΩcm, and bulk density 1104 g/cm3. From the comparison result, the properties measured of the sample fell within a reasonable range with the industry carbon brush. In conclusion, the result demonstrates that agro-waste such as palm kernel shell is a viable means in the production of carbon brushes for the automobile industry

Utjecaj klimatskih promjena na proizvodnju riže u Adamawi, Nigerija

This study analyzes the effect of climate change on rice production in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study describes the trend in rice production and determines the factors affecting the output of rice in Adamawa. Secondary data from 1990-2015 was used. The analytical tools used were descriptive analysis, unit root and regression analysis. The result of the study reveals that there is variation in the trend of the climatic factors affecting rice production in Adamawa State. The findings reveal that rainfall and minimum temperature are the major climatic factors that affect the rice production; such that 1% increase in rainfall leads to 22.2% increase in rice production and 1% increase in minimum temperature leads to 3.7% reduction in rice production. Therefore rainfall is found to be positively significant to rice output, while minimum temperature is found to be negatively significant. The study therefore recommends that irrigation facilities should be built, especially in the north where drought threatens food production. Also breeders should develop rice varieties that have less gestation period and can survive high temperature.Ovaj se rad bavi utjecajem klimatskih promjena na proizvodnju riže u Adamawi, Nigerija. Opisuju se trendovi rasta i pada proizvodnje te određuju faktori koji utječu na količinu proizvedene riže. Istraživanje se temelji na sekundarnim podacima iz razdoblja od 1990. do 2015. Za analizu su korištene sljedeće metode: deskriptivna analiza, test jediničnog korijena i regresijska analiza. Rezultati dobiveni istraživanjem pokazuju da klimatski faktori utječu na proizvodnju riže u Adamawi, a kao glavni među njima ističu se količina padalina i minimalna temperatura: porast u količini padalina od 1 % rezultira porastom u proizvodnji riže od 22.2 %, a porast minimalne temperature od 1 % rezultira padom u proizvodnji riže od 3.7 %. Iz toga se može zaključiti da postoji pozitivna korelacija između količine padalina i količine proizvedene križe te negativna korelacija s obzirom na minimalnu temperaturu. S obzirom na dobivene rezultate preporučuje se izgradnja objekata za navodnjavanje, osobito na sjeveru gdje su sušna razdoblja prijetnja proizvodnji hrane. Također, uzgajivačima se preporuča razvoj vrsta riže koje imaju kraći gestacijski period te mogu preživjeti više temperature

Impact of Mobile Technologies on Cervical Cancer Screening Practices in Lagos, Nigeria (mHealth-Cervix): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose We assessed the impact of mHealth on Pap test screening uptake and also determined the factors that affect screening uptake among women in Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods A randomized controlled trial was carried out among women in two tertiary health institutions in Lagos, Nigeria, between July 2020 and March 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to either a text message (mHealth) intervention or usual care arm. The main study outcome was the uptake of Pap smear testing within 6 months of enrollment in the study. We tested the associations between two groups of continuous variables using the unpooled independent-sample t-test (normal distribution) and that of two groups of categorical variables with the chi-square (χ2) test. Using a multinomial logistic regression model, we adjusted for relevant sociodemographic and clinical predictors of uptake of Pap smear screening. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05. Results There was a significantly higher rate of uptake of Pap smear screening among women in the mHealth arm compared with those in the usual care arm (51.0% v 35.7%, P = .031). Following adjustment in the final multivariate model, level of income (odds ratio [OR] = 5.13, 95% CI, 1.55 to 16.95), awareness of Pap smear (OR = 16.26; 95% CI, 2.49 to 76.64), General Outpatient clinic attendance, and introduction of mHealth intervention during follow-up (OR = 4.36; 95% CI, 1.44 to 13.22) were the independent predictors of Pap smear uptake. Conclusion The use of mHealth technologies intervention via short-text message services is a feasible solution for cervical cancer prevention in low- and middle-income countries, and thus, the widespread use of mHealth services by health care providers and policymakers could contribute to the implementation of cervical cancer prevention services in Nigeria and in the settings of other low- and middle-income countries

“Top-Down-Bottom-Up” Methodology as a Common Approach to Defining Bespoke Sets of Sustainability Assessment Criteria for the Built Environment

YesThe top-down-bottom-up (TDBU) methodology for defining bespoke sets of sustainability criteria for specific civil engineering project types is introduced and discussed. The need to define sustainability criteria for specific civil engineering project types occurs mainly in one or both of the following cases: (1) when a more comprehensive and indicative assessment of the sustainability of the project type in question is required; and/or (2) there is no readily available bespoke sustainability assessment tool, or set of criteria, for assessing the sustainability of the project type. The construction of roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, flood banks, bridges, water supply, and sewage systems and their supporting systems are considered to be unique civil engineering/infrastructure project types. The normative definition of sustainable civil engineering/infrastructure projects and the framework for assessing its sustainability is defined and provided by the authors. An example of the TDBU methodology being applied to define sustainability criteria for transport noise reducing devices is presented and discussed. The end result of applying the methodology is a systematically researched and industry validated set of criteria that denotes assessing the sustainability of the civil engineering/infrastructure project type. The paper concludes that the top-down-bottom-up will support stakeholders and managers involved in assessing sustainability to consider all major research methods to define general and unique sustainability criteria to assess and so maximize sustainability