A brief review on speckle noise reduction techniques for ultrasound images

Speckle noise, typically occurs in coherent imaging systems such as sonar, laser and ultrasound imaging, is an unwanted aftereffect of the image formation process in coherent imaging .Speckle reduction is an important issue for analysis of ultrasound images. In  ultrasound imaging system, the presence of speckle results decline  in image quality and makes it difficult for human interpretation and  diagnosis analysis.Numerous methods for speckle suppression were proposed. In this paper we have given the overview of  the speckle noise reduction modelalong with various filters which are commonly used for speckle reduction needed in ultrasound images. As speckle noise is dominated in ultrasound imaging, there is need of de-noising the ultrasound images before segmenting out the tumor regions. As border detection of these tumors should be highly accurate as final results of segmentation are dependent on it. Further we will explore the tumor edge detection and segmentation of infected liver ultrasound images

Muscle Metaboreflex And Arterial Baroreflex: Action, Interaction And Altered Control In Heart Failure

Stimulation of skeletal muscle afferents by metabolites that accumulate in the exercising muscle elicits a large pressor response, termed the muscle metaboreflex. Muscle metaboreflex activation during submaximal exercise induces large increases in arterial pressure, cardiac output, heart rate and ventricular contractility however, the vascular responses have varied in previous studies. We addressed three specific questions: 1) what are the mechanism(s) regulating the non-ischemic vasculature during muscle metaboreflex activation in normal subjects, 2) whether muscle metaboreflex activation vasoconstricts the ischemic active muscle from which this reflex originates and if this vasoconstriction is exaggerated in heart failure and 3) how do the arterial baroreflex and muscle metaboreflex interact with each other when activated simultaneously in normal and heart failure animals. Using chronically instrumented canine model, data was collected before and after the induction of heart failure. We found that: 1) muscle metaboreflex activation induces epinephrine release causing β2-mediated vasodilation in skeletal muscle, 2) muscle metaboreflex activation elicits vasoconstriction of ischemic active muscle which is exaggerated after induction of heart failure and 3) interaction between baroreflex and muscle metaboreflex in normal animals depends on the parameter being investigated however in heart failure, most cardiovascular variables exhibit occlusive interaction. Preferential vasoconstriction of non-ischemic vasculature redirects cardiac output and increases hindlimb blood flow in normal animals but this increase is significantly attenuated in heart failure. The exaggerated vasoconstriction and limited increase in blood flow to the ischemic muscle would impair the ability to exercise and contribute to exercise intolerance in heart failure patients

IDDQ Testing of Low Voltage CMOS Operational Transconductance Amplifier

The paper describes the design for testability (DFT) of low voltage two stage operational transconductance amplifiers based on quiescent power supply current (IDDQ) testing. IDDQ testing refers to the integral circuit testing method based upon measurement of steady state power supply current for testing both digital as well as analog VLSI circuit. A built in current sensor, which introduces insignificant performance degradation of the circuit-under-test, has been proposed to monitor the power supply quiescent current changes in the circuit under test. Moreover, the BICS requires neither an external voltage reference nor a current source and able to detect, identify and localize the circuit faults. Hence the BICS requires less area and is more efficient than the conventional current sensors. The testability has also been enhanced in the testing procedure using a simple fault-injection technique. Both bridging and open faults have been analyzed in proposed work by using n-well 0.18µm CMOS technology

Data Mining - A Review and Description

Data mining is a powerful and new technique with great potential. It converts the raw data into the useful informati on. Data Mining is the process of extracting knowledge fr om data warehouses. To store databases, enterprises make data warehouses and data marts. Data warehouses and data marts contain large amounts of data. Due to extracting knowledge from large data warehou ses or depositories, data mining plays great role in various fields of machine learning, advancements in static, database system, pattern matching, and artificial intelligence. Various algorithms and programs are used for data mining approach

The Politics of Caste and Textual Cleansing: A Case of Babu Rajab Ali’s Poetry

On September 15, 2012, some Punjabi book publishers and editors1 were arrested under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for reprinting some works of the 20th century Punjabi poet and kavishar Babu Rajab Ali that allegedly contain derogatory caste names for the Dalits. The police had arrested these publishers suspecting the books could cause unrest in the state and could lead to rioting or division among communities. While one of the publishers chose not to circulate the books in the market after the controversy, in the subsequent editions of two other publications, the texts of Rajab Ali were changed, sanitized of the alleged caste names included in them, with terms more acceptable in contemporary times. We examine the deeper reasons behind this zealous and reactionary response to reprinting texts written more than seventy years ago. It becomes imperative to analyse if it is correct to reproduce old poetical texts through the process of “cleansing” and if the textual cleansing subverts the original meaning the poet wanted to convey, in his particular spatial-temporal context. The political, social and cultural dynamics behind the caste-based and censor-filtered purging of text reproduction need to be probed into, along with the role of state agencies and institutional structures that allow it to exist. Should the publishers be held responsible for the content they publish? Should the debate of cleansing/sanitizing, when understood in the context of the prevalent caste relations in Punjab, be reduced only to the notions of ‘freedom of expression’ and ‘freedom of individual’? Further, we analyse the significance of Rajab Ali’s writing on its own merit, while also demonstrating and critiquing his proclivity to perpetuate existing caste norms. These are the questions this paper seeks to address, while also conveying how poetry can be used as an alternative historical source for early-twentieth century Malwa

Combination of Autofluorescence imaging and salivary protoporphyrin in Oral precancerous and cancerous lesions: non-invasive tools

Background: Normal and cancerous tissues have distinct auto-fluorescence properties because of differences in their biophysical and biochemical agents. Scientific evidences related to diagnostic fluorescence imaging for detection of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions are very limited. Objectives: The aim of this study was to find out potential relationships between serum, salivary and tissue protoporphyrin IX ( PX) levels in subjects with or without oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. Also, to find out diagnostic value of fluorescence imaging (VELscope® system, LED Dental Inc., White Rock, B.C.) and salivary protoporphyrin IX (PX) in oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. Furthermore this study attempts to find out diagnostic value of the combination of approaches of fluorescence imaging and salivary protoporphyrin for detection of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions. Material and Methods: The study sample comprised 3 test groups, with biopsy confirmed precancerous (leukoplakia and lichen planus) and cancerous lesions (squamous cell carcinoma) and one control group of 25 healthy individuals. To find out sensitivity and specificity, another 100 patients presenting for routine dental care were selected and clinical examinations were followed by fluorescence imaging and normal photography, which were finally confirmed by biopsy. The clinical and histopathogical examinations were done in conjunction with photography of the oral cavity using digital camera and fluorescence imaging. Serum, tissue and salivary protoporphyrin (PX) levels were measured. Results: Using fluorescence imaging, oral cancerous and precancerous lesions showed deep purple to deep brown and dark green colour respectively, while normal tissues showed pale green colour in contrast. The PX levels in serum, salivary and tissues were significantly higher in precancerous and cancerous lesions as compared to normal healthy tissues. Salivary and serum PX levels were highly correlated in all groups. The sensitivity and specificity to the discrimination of precancerous and cancerous lesions from the healthy tissues were higher by combination approaches of salivary protoporphyrin X and VELscope® system as compared individual approach. Conclusions: Combination approach of salivary protoporphyrin X and VELscope® system are more sensitive and specific to discriminate precancerous and cancerous lesions from the healthy tissues as compared to individual approach. Further studies are required on large samples of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions to test sensitivity and specificity and thus validate the clinical applicability of fluorescence imaging in (pre)cancerous diagnostics

Screw loosening in Cast-to-UCLA Abutment versus CAD-CAM abutment Design in last five years: A Retrospective Cohort Study

In recent years, the use of screw retained implant supported prostheses has increased compared with cement-retained designs because of its biological advantages and retrievability. The UCLA castable abutment has been the mainstay for screw-retained porcelain fused to metal (PFM) implant crowns. It consists of a plastic cylinder that connects to the abutment which can be customized by waxing and casting using base or noble metal alloy. While PFM implant crowns using the UCLA abutment allows for minimal interocclusal space (5 mm) unlike other screw-retained designs, it has been linked to increase in mechanical complications such as screw loosening and screw fracture. This problem has been theorized o be due to the divesting process after casting to the UCLA abutment with air abrasive process which degrades the UCLA abutment surface and negatively affect the tolerance of fit between the abutment and implant. This study aims to access the screw loosening with the cast-to-UCLA abutment versus the CAD-CAM abutment design in chart review history over last five years among patients

The masquerade : Indian Punjabi Sikh women and the renegotiation of boundaries and body identity in Australia

This thesis argues that Sikh women in Australia experience the burden of protecting the cultural traditions of their religious group. Here an analysis is made of their attempt to construct a new boundary or a new space for themselves. Sikh immigrant women in Australia are what Spivak termed, and other post-colonial writers have also noted, the "third-world displaced woman", caught between tradition and modernisation. Sikhs, a religious cultural group from Punjab, India, have for centuries proclaimed the equality of the sexes in their faith. Yet, Sikh women are tied to their cultural religious boundaries even when they have left the homeland of Punjab and sought to renegotiate their boundaries and body identity elsewhere. I argue that the religious culture of the Sikhs carries the same meaning and weight to them as any ethnic identification so that whatever geographical area they emigrated to, they usually set up enclaves to distinguish themselves from the wider population. My theoretical and analytical framework for studying how Sikh women in Australia renegotiate their cultural boundaries and body identity in order to find a space for themselves in the new culture, draws on concepts of culture and cultural boundaries, post-colonialism and body identity. The study incorporates a qualitative phenomenological methodology that seeks to understand the lived experience of Sikh women who have either migrated to Australia from Punjab or who have been born to parents who emigrated from Punjab. The study's findings will help to determine how Sikh women renegotiate boundaries and identities in order to live successfully in two cultures. The elements included in this study are a theory-based discussion of the issues, field work, researcher's notes and observations, and analysis of the data

Salivary apoptotic cells in oral (pre-) cancer as a potential diagnostic means

Background: Apoptosis is a genetically programmed form of cell death which is indispensable for development and homeostasis of multi-cellular organism. Objectives: The aim of this study was to find out the salivary apoptotic cells in oral precancerous and cancerous patients and furthermore to observe the potential diagnostic value of salivary apoptotic cells in detection of oral pre-cancer and cancer. Materials and Methods: Unsimulated saliva was collected from a group of 103 subjects diagnosed with oral (pre-) cancer and a control group of 30 healthy age- and gender-matched individuals. The test group diagnosed with (pre-) cancer was further subdivided in 4 lesion groups oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral lichen planus lesions (n=26), oral leukoplakia (n=25), oral sub-mucous fibrosis (n=24) Apoptotic cells were morphologically studied using fluorescence microscopy (TUNEL technique). Results: While the morphology of apoptotic cells in oral pre-cancer and cancer are morphological similar to the typical epithelial cells of oral cavity mucosa, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly less in OSCC as compared to precancerous and normal healthy tissues. Conclusions: It could therefore be concluded that salivary apoptotic epithelial cells might be used in early detection and diagnosis of oral pre-cancer and cance

Evaluation by an Aeronautic Dentist on the Adverse Effects of a Six-Week Period of Microgravity on the Oral Cavity

Objective. HDT bed rest condition is a simulated microgravity condition in which subject lies on bed inclined −6 degree feet up. To determine the influence of a simulated microgravity (HDT bed rest) on oral cavity, 10 healthy male volunteers were studied before, during, just after, and after 6 weeks of the simulated microgravity condition of −6° head-down-tilt (HDT) bed rest. Materials and Methods. Facial nerve function, facial sensation, chemosensory system, salivary biomarkers were measured. Results. Lactate dehydrogenase, MIP 1 alpha, malonaldehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, and thiocyanate were found to increase significantly, while flow rate, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate, protein, amylase activity, vitamin E and C, and mouth opening were decreased in simulation environments in contradiction to normal. The threshold for monosodium glutamate (MSG) and capsaicin increased during microgravity as compared to normal conditions. Moderate pain of teeth, facial oedema, mild pain, loss of sensation of pain and temperature, decreased tongue, and mandibular movement in simulation microgravity environments were observed. Conclusions. These results suggest that reversible effect of microgravity is oedema of face, change in taste, abnormal expression of face, teeth pain, and xerostomia. Further study will be required on large scale on long-term effects of microgravity on oral cavity to prevent the adverse effects