Data Driven Computing by the Morphing Fast Fourier Transform Ensemble Kalman Filter in Epidemic Spread Simulations

The FFT EnKF data assimilation method is proposed and applied to a stochastic cell simulation of an epidemic, based on the S-I-R spread model. The FFT EnKF combines spatial statistics and ensemble filtering methodologies into a localized and computationally inexpensive version of EnKF with a very small ensemble, and it is further combined with the morphing EnKF to assimilate changes in the position of the epidemic.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to ICCS 201

Video data compression using artificial neural network differential vector quantization

An artificial neural network vector quantizer is developed for use in data compression applications such as Digital Video. Differential Vector Quantization is used to preserve edge features, and a new adaptive algorithm, known as Frequency-Sensitive Competitive Learning, is used to develop the vector quantizer codebook. To develop real time performance, a custom Very Large Scale Integration Application Specific Integrated Circuit (VLSI ASIC) is being developed to realize the associative memory functions needed in the vector quantization algorithm. By using vector quantization, the need for Huffman coding can be eliminated, resulting in superior performance against channel bit errors than methods that use variable length codes

Parallel MATALAB Techniques

In this chapter, we show why parallel MATLAB is useful, provide a comparison of the different parallel MATLAB choices, and describe a number of applications in Signal and Image Processing: Audio Signal Processing, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Processing and Superconducting Quantum Interference Filters (SQIFs). Each of these applications have been parallelized using different methods (Task parallel and Data parallel techniques). The applications presented may be considered representative of type of problems faced by signal and image processing researchers. This chapter will also strive to serve as a guide to new signal and image processing parallel programmers, by suggesting a parallelization strategy that can be employed when developing a general parallel algorithm. The objective of this chapter is to help signal and image processing algorithm developers understand the advantages of using parallel MATLAB to tackle larger problems while staying within the powerful environment of MATLAB

Comparison of cerebrospinal fluid Cytochrome-c and Caspase-9 as biomarkers for newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy with non-asphyxiated babies and followup of these biomarkers after day 7

Background: There are very less previous study for cytochrome–c and caspase-9, the key players in apoptotic cell death, in human newborns. The objective was to measure the level of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers cytochrome –c and caspase -9 in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and comparison with clinically suspected sepsis controls and to compare these after 7 days. Methods: We compared 50 hypoxic babies with 20 newborns with clinically suspected sepsis at median age of day-3 and 9 in cases and day-1 in controls. Results: In the present study in sample-1 we observed a significant increase in the levels of cases cytochrome c (1.46 ± 0.71 ng⁄mL) and caspase- 9 (0.29 ± 0.27 ng⁄mL) when compared to controls cytochrome-c (1.02+0.27 ng⁄mL) and caspase -9 (0.13+0.16 ng⁄mL) with significant p-value of 0.001 and 0.009 respectively. In sample -1 Cytochrome-c, P- value was significant when compared stage –III (1.74 ± 0.68) with stage-I (0.82 ± 0.43) and stage –II (0.99 ± 0.18). Similarly in Caspas-9 P-value was significant when compared between stage-III (0.38 ± 0.30) with stage-I (0.11 ± 0.07). In sample -2 P- value was significant when compared stage –III (1.68 ± 0.50) with stage-I (1.01 ± 0.14) and stage –II (0.94 ± 0.38). Similarly in Caspas-9 P-value was significant when compared between stage-III (4.84 ± 2.44) with stage-I (0.13 ± 0.10) and stage –II (0.13 ± 0.11). Conclusions: First time done in human newborns with asphyxia, showing that CSF Cytochrome- c and Caspase 9 increases significantly. In sample-2, the caspase 9 levels showed a further increase, whereas cytochrome c levels decreased from the sample 1 value indicating that neuroprotection time should be increased.

Antibacterial efficacy of Acacia nilotica, Aegle marmelos herbal extracts against Enterococcus faecalis: an invitro study

Background: Our objective was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Acacia nilotica, Aegle marmelos herbal extracts against Enterococcus faecalis- an invitro study. Methods: The extraction of Acacia nilotica bark powder and Aegle marmelos leaf powder was done with following three solvents (Ethanol, methanol and acetone) keeping vancomycin as a positive control. Then the study groups were assigned as follows: group I: Acacia nilotica, group II: Aegle marmelos, group III: Combination of Acacia nilotica and Aegle marmelos, group IV: vancomycin. Preparation of the E. feacalis inoculum with the help of Mueller Hinton Broth. Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated by agar well diffusion assay to determine the zone of inhibition and Minimum inhibitory concentration was evaluated. Results: Statistical analysis was performed by using one-way analysis of variance and compared by the Mann-Whitney test using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20.0. No zone of inhibition was identified for Aegle marmelos. Highest inhibitory zone against E. faecalis was seen for vancomycin (mean of 28.6 mm) followed by Acacia nilotica. Conclusions: Among the test groups, vancomycin exhibited highest antimicrobial efficiency. Compared with the herbal extracts which was statistically significant. The use of herbal alternatives might prove to be advantageous considering the several undesirable characteristics of vancomycin

Change in lattice parameter of tantalum due to dissolved hydrogen

The volume expansion of tantalum due to the dissolved hydrogen has been determined using Bragg equation. The hydrogen was dissolved in the pure tantalum metal at constant temperature (360 °C) and constant pressure (132 mbar) by varying the duration of hydrogen charging. The amount of dissolved hydrogen was within the solid solubility limit. The samples with different hydrogen concentration were analyzed by X-ray diffraction technique. Slight peak shifts as well as peak broadening were observed. The relative changes of lattice parameters plotted against the hydrogen concentration revealed that the lattice parameters varied linearly with the hydrogen concentration