Towards non-vascular fundus image analysis and disease detection

Assessment of retinal fundus image is very informative and preventive in early ocular disease detection. This non-invasive assessment of fundus images also helps in the early diagnosis of vascular diseases. This unique combination help in the early diagnosis of diseases. Applying image enhancement techniques with advanced Deep learning techniques helps to overcome such a challenging problem. Most Deep learning models give a diagnosis without attention to underlying pathological abnormalities. In this thesis, we tried to solve the problem in the same way as ophthalmologists and experts in the field approach the problem. We created models that can detect an Optic disc, Optic cup, and vascular regions in the image. This work can be integrated into any ocular disease detection, such as glaucoma, and vascular disease detection, such as diabetes. Extensive work is applied for better sampling when all models were suffering from a lack of data in the medical imaging field. The entire work on the retinal fundus image was in 2d images. In the extension of this work, we applied our knowledge to 3d MRI-Brain images. We attempt to predict attention scores in children, which is a big factor in the detection of kids with ADHD. But both work on fundus images and brain MRI images are under the umbrella of medical imaging. We believe this advancement in this line of research can be very valuable for future researchers in the area of automated medical imaging, especially in automated retinal disease diagnosis

Investigating centrifuging conditions for sustainable recovery of fuel from oily sludge

One of the most troubling wasted products in both upstream and downstream petroleum industry is oily sludge. Oil sludge is generated in huge amounts through refining, exploration, storage, pipeline and tanker transportation. Such sludge, containing considerable amounts of hydrocarbons, solids, heavy metals, water and other impurities, presents a stable emulsion, which is difficult to treat. An adequate treatment prevents environmental pollution, protect public health, and installation, as well as preserves an adequate tank capacity. On other hand, oil sludge still contains valuable fuel and water, hence in spite of difficulties; the recovery of resources from sludge is a sustainable generation of fuels and recycling water. Centrifuging is one of the available technologies, which is able to break the sludge suspension into phases, while fuel can be recovered. The objectives of this study were to recovery of oil and water, and decrease hazardous volume for disposal using centrifuging process. The investigations were conducted in order to separate fractions, in a sustainable way, i.e. oil be used as a fuel, water be reused in processing, and solids can be treated or disposed efficiently. In order to optimize phase separation and help in fraction recovery, the centrifuging process was modified by various pre-treatment methods. The results showed that the highest quality of oil and water was recovered when centrifuging process was applied with using such additives like ferric chloride, ferrous sulfate and surfactant (Tween 80). Further improvement was achieved when centrifuging three-phase separation was exposed to pre-heating at 55oC. The calorific value of the recovered fuel increased by 23% comparing to raw oily sludge. Furthermore, an amount sent to disposal decreased by 70%

Comparison of mathematical models and artificial neural networks for prediction of drying kinetics of mushroom in microwave vacuum dryer

Drying characteristics of button mushroom slices were determined using microwave vacuum drier at various powers (130, 260, 380, 450 W) and absolute pressures (200, 400, 600, 800 mbar). To select a suitable mathematical model, 6 thin-layer drying models were fitted to the experimental data. The fitting rates of models were assessed based on three parameters; highest R2, lowest chi square () and root mean square error (RMSE). In addition, using the experimental data, an ANN trained by standard back-propagation algorithm, was developed in order to predict moisture ratio (MR) and drying rate (DR) values based on the three input variables (drying time, absolute pressure, microwave power). Different activation functions and several rules were used to assess percentage error between the desired and the predicted values. According to our findings, Midilli et al. model showed a reasonable fitting with experimental data. While, the ANN model showed its high capability to predict the MR and DR quite well with determination coefficients (R2) of 0.9991, 0.9995 and 0.9996 for training, validation and testing, respectively. Furthermore, their predictions Mean Square Error were 0.00086, 0.00042 and 0.00052, respectively

Interpretation of the large-deformation high-spin bands in select A=158-168 nuclei

The high-spin rotational bands in Hf-168 and the triaxial bands in Lu nuclei are analyzed using the configuration-constrained cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS) model. Special attention is given to the up-sloping extruder orbitals. The relative alignment between the bands which appear to correspond to triaxial shape is also considered, including the yrast ultrahigh-spin band in Er-158. This comparison suggests that the latter band is formed from rotation around the intermediate axis. In addition, the standard approximations of the CNS approach are investigated, indicating that the errors which are introduced by the neglect of off-shell matrix elements and the cutoff at nine oscillator shells (N-max = 8) are essentially negligible compared to other uncertainties. On the other hand, the full inclusion of the hexadecapole degree of freedom is more significant; for example it leads to a decrease of the total energy of similar to 500 keV in the triaxial superdeformed (TSD) region of Hf-168

Environmental Impacts of Biodiesel Production Cycle from Farm to Manufactory:An Application of Sustainable Systems Engineering

One of the key challenges in using fossil fuels is the environmental impacts of these energy sources, and to reduce these destructive effects, the use of renewable energy sources (biofuels) is necessary. One of the important biofuels is biodiesel, which can be produced from cottonseed. To properly manage the chain dealing with biodiesel production from the cottonseed chain (from farm to manufactory), environmental hotspots must be pinpointed. In the present study, it was attempted to examine the environmental impacts of the biodiesel production cycle from cottonseed (agronomic stages, ginning, oiling, and biodiesel production). The data obtained in all three stages were analyzed by the Impact 2002+ method in the SimaPro software. The highest contribution to creating environmental indicators at the agricultural stage was related to the use of nitrogen fertilizers, direct emission from the farm and fossil fuels, the ginning and oiling stage involving the use of diesel fuel and sulfuric acid, and the production of biodiesel in the manufactory involving the use of methanol and electricity. The potential environmental impacts of a functional unit of 1 kg of biodiesel include: human health, 9.05–10−6 (DAYLY); ecosystem quality, 1.369 (PDF*m2*year); climate changes, (kg CO2 eq.) 17.247; and resources (MJ primary), 89.116. Results showed that agriculture has more significant participation in the environmental impact than other sections (ginning and oiling and biodiesel production), especially due to the application of fertilizers and fuel. Surveying the environmental indicators of the results showed that at the agricultural stage, the human health indicator is 10.43, 1.21, and 5.32 times higher than the ecosystem quality, climate change, and resource indicators, respectively; at the ginning and oiling stages, it is 2.35, 31.68, and 2.09 times higher, respectively; and at the stage of biodiesel production in the manufactory, it is 16.41, 1.96, and 0.99 times higher, respectively, in terms of the destructive effects. The overall results showed that the hotspot points in the present study can be largely modified by reducing the consumption of nitrogen fertilizers, using new equipment and machinery, ginning and oiling, and using fewer methanol ratios than oil.</p

Assessment of the role of technical vocational education and training (TVET) in creating opportunities and capacities required at home businesses

Background and Objectives:The world today, with the development of technology and the resulting wide-ranging changes, has forced countries to shift from a "resource-based economy" approach to a "knowledge-based economy" approach, and this has led to three axes of innovation, technology and competence. The process of development and progress is of considerable importance. Improving the competencies and skills of human resources and their learning abilities through lifelong training such as technical and vocational training are the most important tools to access this axis. On the other hand, the training of human resources required by societies in the form of technical and vocational training from the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, has attracted the attention of many countries around the world. Following scientific and industrial advances after World War II, these teachings expanded unprecedentedly in the world. As of today, the technical and vocational training of the Ministry of Cooperation, Labor and Social Welfare after education is moving in many countries, especially in industrial societies, to meet the economic and social needs as much as possible. It can be claimed that technical and vocational trainings, due to the combination of theoretical and practical trainings, have a great capacity to form human capital and train scientific workers. The role of employment in the dynamics of human life is undeniable and it can be considered as the center of human-community relations. Today's world is witnessing major changes in business and work environments. On the one hand, organizations are becoming smaller and more flexible, and on the other hand, the boundaries between home and work are blurring. In fact, the development of small and fast-growing enterprises in most of the world's economic systems is now accepted as a necessity. Meanwhile, the training of technical and professional organizations in home-based businesses, due to the alignment of theoretical and practical training, have a considerable ability to form human capital. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of technical and vocational training in creating opportunities and capacities in relation to home-based jobs in Qazvin. Methods: According to the community of home-based businesses in Qazvin, the type of research is based on documentary and field studies of a population of 100 members. The research instrument was a questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been confirmed Findings: The chi-square test was used to analyze the inferential statistics. Results were analyzed by SPSS software and indicated that the significance level of the critical value is lower supporting significant impact for technical and vocational training on home jobs. Also, the significant impact of the goals of technical and vocational education has been confirmed on creating more opportunities in relation to home-based businesses. But reaching this goal requires more attention from relevant authorities in this regard. Conclusion: Home business can be one of the best offers for people in today's situation; but walking this transcendent path requires overcoming the fears inevitably raise during the action and prevent the individual from moving in the direction that leads to individual and collective growth. The important thing is that one needs ideas that can be commercialized to get started. In fact, when an idea comes to their mind, they should visualize how to implement it as a roadmap for themselves, and if they see the success of implementing that idea in their desired conditions, they should start working. In addition, the discussion of counseling should not be neglected. Observing and examining people who have been able to achieve increasing success in similar situations can be another suggestion that acts as an accelerator in the path of work, technical and professional training in the meantime can be a significant way to achieve the goals of employees in the field including home businesses

Optimization of transfection methods for Huh­7 and Vero cells: a comparative study

Availability of an efficient transfection protocol is the first determinant in success of gene transferring studies in mammalian cells which is accomplished experimentally for every single cell type. Herein, we provide data of a comparative study on optimization of transfection condition by electroporation and chemical methods for Huh-7 and Vero cells. Different cell confluencies, DNA/reagent ratios and total transfection volumes were optimized for two chemical reagents including jetPEI™ and Lipofectamine™ 2000. Besides, the effects of electric field strength and pulse length were investigated to improve electroporation efficiency. Transfection of cells by pEGFP-N1 vector and tracking the expression of GFP by FACS and Fluorescence Microscopy analysis were the employed methods to evaluate transfection efficiencies. Optimized electroporation protocols yielded 63.73 ± ± 2.36 and 73.9 ± 1.6 % of transfection in Huh-7 and Vero cells respectively, while maximum achieved level of transfection by jetPEI™ was respectively 14.2 ± 0.69 and 28 ± 1.11 % for the same cells. Post transfectional chilling of the cells did not improve electrotransfection efficiency of Huh-7 cells. Compared to chemical based reagents, electroporation showed the superior levels of transfection in both cell lines. The presented protocols should satisfy most of the experimental applications requiring high transfection efficiencies of these two cell lines.Наличие эффективного протокола трансфекции является первым условием успешных исследований по переносу генов в клетки млекопитающих, что достигается экспериментально для каждого конкретного типа клеток. Здесь мы приводим данные сравнительного исследования по оптимизации условий трансфекции клеток Huh-7 и Vero с помощью электропорации и химическими методами. Для двух химических соединений, jetPEI™ и Lipofectamine™ 2000, были оптимизированы сочетания различных клеток, соотношения ДНК/реагент и общие объемы трансфекции. Кроме того, для улучшения эффективности электропорации было изучено влияние силы электрического поля и длины импульса. Трансфекция клеток с помощью вектора pEGFP-N1, определение экспрессии GFP с помощью FACS и флюоресцентная микроскопия были использованы для оценки эффективности трансфекции. В оптимизированных протоколах достигалась трансфекция на уровне 63.73 ± 2.36 и 73.9 ± 1.6 % в клетках Huh-7 и Vero соответственно, в то время как максимальный уровень трансфекции с помощью jetPEI™ составлял 14.2 ± 0.69 и 28 ± 1.11 % для тех же клеток. Охлаждение клеток после трансфекции не улучшало эффективность электротрансфекции клеток Huh-7. В обеих клеточных линиях электропорация позволила достичь более высокого уровня трансфекции по сравнению с использованием химических реагентов. Представленный протокол может быть пригодным для большинства экспериментальных манипуляций, которые требуют высокого уровня трансфекции исследуемых клеточных линий

Coronary graft patency after perioperative myocardial infarction: a study with multislice computed tomography‏

A total of 55 consecutive patients who experienced perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) after coronary artery bypass grafting were studied using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography to evaluate for graft patency. The MSCT detected acute graft occlusion in 23% grafts. Of the 55 patients, 40% patients had occluded grafts and perioperative MI in the area of the grafted vessels; remaining 60% had patent grafts with infarction in the area of the grafted vessels. Compared with the patients with patent grafts, those with occluded grafts had a higher blood sugar level. In addition, graft occlusion was higher in grafts with severe distal disease. Among the patients with patent grafts, luminal stenosis of the native vessels supplying the infarcted myocardium was higher than that in the native vessels supplying the non-infarcted myocardium. In conclusion, MSCT is feasible for the assessment of graft patency in the setting of perioperative MI. Graft occlusion is detected in less than half of the cases and usually occurs in the grafts with severe distal involvement and the patients with uncontrolled hyperglycemia. In patients with patent grafts, the severity of luminal stenosis of the native grafted vessel is the main predisposing factor for perioperative MI

Expression of Leishmania major LmSTI1 in Yeast Pichia Pastoris

Background: Leishmania major LmSTI1 is a conserved protein among different species of leishmania, and expressed in both amastigote and promastigote forms of L. major life cycle. It has previously been expressed in bacterial systems.Materials and Methods: To express LmSTI1 in the methylotrophic yeast         Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris), the shuttle vector pPICZA containing gene lmsti1 was constructed under the control of the AOX1 promoter. The recombinant vector was electro-transformed into P. pastoris, and induced by 0.5% methanol in the buffered medium. The expression of the LmSTI1 protein was visualized in the total soluble protein of P. pastoris by 12% SDS-PAGE, and further confirmed by Western blotting with L.major-infected mouse sera and HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG as the first and secondary antibodies, respectively.Results: The expression level was 0.2% of total soluble proteins.Conclusion: It might be possible to use this formulation as a whole yeast candidate vaccine against cutaneous leishmanization