3D Rigid Registration of Intraoperative Ultrasound and Preoperative MR Brain Images Based on Hyperechogenic Structures

The registration of intraoperative ultrasound (US) images with preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) images is a challenging problem due to the difference of information contained in each image modality. To overcome this difficulty, we introduce a new probabilistic function based on the matching of cerebral hyperechogenic structures. In brain imaging, these structures are the liquid interfaces such as the cerebral falx and the sulci, and the lesions when the corresponding tissue is hyperechogenic. The registration procedure is achieved by maximizing the joint probability for a voxel to be included in hyperechogenic structures in both modalities. Experiments were carried out on real datasets acquired during neurosurgical procedures. The proposed validation framework is based on (i) visual assessment, (ii) manual expert estimations , and (iii) a robustness study. Results show that the proposed method (i) is visually efficient, (ii) produces no statistically different registration accuracy compared to manual-based expert registration, and (iii) converges robustly. Finally, the computation time required by our method is compatible with intraoperative use.

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Expanding the FDS Simulation Capabilities to Fire Tunnel Scenarios Through a Novel Multi-scale Model

Fire Technology ◽

10.1007/s10694-020-01081-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Vittorio Verda ◽

Romano Borchiellini ◽

Sara Cosentino ◽

Elisa Guelpa ◽

Jesus Mejias Tuni

Keyword(s):

Fluid Dynamics ◽

Computation Time ◽

Multiscale Model ◽

Optimal Operation ◽

Scale Model ◽

Computational Time ◽

Fire Dynamics ◽

The Difference ◽

Emergency Systems ◽

Time Required

AbstractComputational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is widely used to simulate tunnels and partially substitute on-site tests. As technology advances, new application opportunities appear; some examples are the optimal operation of ventilation and emergency systems, risk assessment of tunnels and training of the operators. Even when the computational capacity of computers has grown, CFD is still constrained by the large amount of computational resources needed in long tunnels. This introduces a need for methods able to reduce the amount of time required for simulations. To face this need, a novel 1D–3D multiscale model is presented in this paper. The model incorporates the code Whitesmoke into FDS (Fire Dynamics Simulator) through a direct coupling. Whitesmoke manages the fluid dynamics, temperature and concentration of species in the 1D portion, while FDS calculates these fields in the portion where fire occurs. Using this multiscale model, the computation time for long tunnels is reduced, proportionally to the 1D length in the domain. Also, additional simulation capabilities particularly useful for tunnel analysis are obtained. Some new characteristics are pressure boundary conditions can be easily imposed at the tunnel portals or at the ventilation shafts; the characteristic curves of the fans/jet-fans can be included, also considering the degradation effects due to smoke propagation; the piston effect can be properly considered. Our research verifies most of its capabilities, also clarifying its limitations and the criteria used to set the domain for the analysis. As a final step, the model is tested in a tunnel with a cross section of 4.8 m and 600 m of length with a 2 MW fire, comparing its performance with a full 3D FDS simulation. The difference in temperature and velocity is minimal for most of the domain, making It a good way to optimize resource usage in large simulations. Furthermore, the multiscale manages to reduce the computational time of more than a 50%.

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A Fast Retrieval of Cloud Parameters Using a Triplet of Wavelengths of Oxygen Dimer Band around 477 nm

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13010152 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 152

Author(s):

Haklim Choi ◽

Xiong Liu ◽

Gonzalo Gonzalez Abad ◽

Jongjin Seo ◽

Kwang-Mog Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scattered Light ◽

Trace Gas ◽

Retrieval Algorithm ◽

The Novel ◽

Cloud Parameters ◽

Retrieval Scheme ◽

The Difference ◽

The Look ◽

Time Required ◽

Cloud Top Pressure

Clouds act as a major reflector that changes the amount of sunlight reflected to space. Change in radiance intensity due to the presence of clouds interrupts the retrieval of trace gas or aerosol properties from satellite data. In this paper, we developed a fast and robust algorithm, named the fast cloud retrieval algorithm, using a triplet of wavelengths (469, 477, and 485 nm) of the O2–O2 absorption band around 477 nm (CLDTO4) to derive the cloud information such as cloud top pressure (CTP) and cloud fraction (CF) for the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS). The novel algorithm is based on the fact that the difference in the optical path through which light passes with regard to the altitude of clouds causes a change in radiance due to the absorption of O2–O2 at the three selected wavelengths. To reduce the time required for algorithm calculations, the look-up table (LUT) method was applied. The LUT was pre-constructed for various conditions of geometry using Vectorized Linearized Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer (VLIDORT) to consider the polarization of the scattered light. The GEMS was launched in February 2020, but the observed data of GEMS have not yet been widely released. To evaluate the performance of the algorithm, the retrieved CTP and CF using observational data from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 (GOME-2), which cover the spectral range of GEMS, were compared with the results of the Fast Retrieval Scheme for Clouds from the Oxygen A band (FRESCO) algorithm, which is based on the O2 A-band. There was good agreement between the results, despite small discrepancies for low clouds.

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Events, Time and the Simple Form

Revue québécoise de linguistique ◽

10.7202/602615ar ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 85-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Walter H. Hirtle

Keyword(s):

Simple Form ◽

Point Of View ◽

Event Time ◽

The Difference ◽

Time Required ◽

English Verb

Abstract This is an attempt to discern more clearly the underlying or POTENTIAL meaning of the simple form of the English verb, described in Hirtle 1967 as 'perfective'. Vendler's widely accepted classification of events into ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ACHIEVEMENTS, ACTIVITIES, and STATES is examined from the point of view of the time necessarily contained between the beginning and end of any event, i.e. EVENT TIME as represented by the simple form. This examination justifies the well known dynamic/stative dichotomy by showing that event time is evoked in two different ways, that, in fact, the simple form has two ACTUAL significates. Further reflection on the difference between the two types thus expressed—developmental or action-like events and non-developmental or state-like events—leads to the conclusion that the simple form provides a representation of the time required to situate all the impressions involved in the notional or lexical import of the verb.

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Comparative analysis of codon usage patterns in SARS-CoV-2, its mutants and other respiratory viruses

10.1101/2021.03.03.433699 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Neetu Tyagi ◽

Rahila Sardar ◽

Dinesh Gupta

Keyword(s):

Codon Usage ◽

Codon Usage Bias ◽

Gc Content ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Nucleotide Composition ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Study Results ◽

Usage Patterns ◽

The Difference

AbstractThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) poses a worldwide human health crisis, causing respiratory illness with a high mortality rate. To investigate the factors governing codon usage bias in all the respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 isolates from different geographical locations (~62K), including two recently emerging strains from the United Kingdom (UK), i.e., VUI202012/01 and South Africa (SA), i.e., 501.Y.V2 codon usage bias (CUBs) analysis was performed. The analysis includes RSCU analysis, GC content calculation, ENC analysis, dinucleotide frequency and neutrality plot analysis. We were motivated to conduct the study to fulfil two primary aims: first, to identify the difference in codon usage bias amongst all SARS-CoV-2 genomes and, secondly, to compare their CUBs properties with other respiratory viruses. A biased nucleotide composition was found as most of the highly preferred codons were A/U-ending in all the respiratory viruses studied here. Compared with the human host, the RSCU analysis led to the identification of 11 over-represented codons and 9 under-represented codons in SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Correlation analysis of ENC and GC3s revealed that mutational pressure is the leading force determining the CUBs. The present study results yield a better understanding of codon usage preferences for SARS-CoV-2 genomes and discover the possible evolutionary determinants responsible for the biases found among the respiratory viruses, thus unveils a unique feature of the SARS-CoV-2 evolution and adaptation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt at comparative CUBs analysis on the worldwide genomes of SARS-CoV-2, including novel emerged strains and other respiratory viruses.

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Depletion and Bioaccumulation of Ractopamine Hydrochloride (RH) in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Bovine

Meat and Muscle Biology ◽

10.22175/mmb.10723 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Author(s):

H. E. Davis ◽

I. Geornaras ◽

T. Engle ◽

J. E. Prenni ◽

H. Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

The United States ◽

Gi Tract ◽

Study Results ◽

Limit Of Quantitation ◽

Contamination Event ◽

Low Levels ◽

Ractopamine Hydrochloride ◽

Time Required ◽

Performance Challenges

ObjectivesDue to developing meat trade issues associated with use of the β-agonist ractopamine hydrochloride (RH) as a growth-promoting agent in livestock production, this project was developed to provide recommendations of best practices to beef cattle producers in the United States who intend to export to China. This study is critically important in better understanding the bioaccumulation and depletion of RH in live animals, and how this may relate to depletion in differing tissues on animal harvest.This study was designed to determine dose response and depletion curves in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract of fistulated (i.e., cannulated- both rumen and duodenal) steers either receiving or not receiving ractopamine hydrochloride as part of the daily ration. There were originally five steers in this study, but due to performance challenges and scarring issues, one animal was removed from the study for a total of four test subjects.Materials and MethodsIn the dose and depletion study, four steers (n = 2 not receiving RH and n = 2 receiving RH at the approved dosage) were assessed from –3 d (still receiving RH if on the RH treatment) to 13 d post-withdrawal to determine the amount of RH present and length of time required for RH to clear the GI tract should a contamination event of low levels occur. Residues were quantified using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS).ResultsFor the dose and depletion study, RH residues were quantified in rumen fluids, rumen solids, fecal material, and duodenal fluids. Overall, the RH present in the two control steers (which did not receive RH) declined from approximately 30 ppb in all matrices 3 d before withdrawal to below the limit of quantitation at the end of withdrawal. Furthermore, samples tended to be below the limit of quantitation by Day 4 post-withdrawal. The steers that received RH also exhibited a decline of RH throughout the withdrawal period for all matrices (e.g., 5800 ppb in rumen fluids at day –3 versus 1.81 ppb 13 d post-withdrawal).ConclusionThe dose and depletion study results suggest that RH declines rapidly in the lower GI of beef cattle, with levels below detection by day four. There are events in which RH declines and then spikes, so further research may be necessary to determine why this rapid increase occurs.

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Religiousness Attitude During Adulthood Elderly (Psychology Of Religion Perspectives)

RELIGIA ◽

10.28918/religia.v20i1.776 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 85

Author(s):

Muhamad Rifa'i Subhi

Keyword(s):

Research Method ◽

Religious Life ◽

Religious Involvement ◽

Boarding School ◽

Psychology Of Religion ◽

The Elderly ◽

Qualitative Approach ◽

The Real ◽

Study Results ◽

The Difference

Islam teaches the difference in someone's level of religiosity. The level of human religiosity can change from one moment to another. Humans have evolved a religious life. Including human experience in adulthood elderly in life and face the problems of life. This study focused on the real description of the attitude of religiosity which is owned by the elderly. The study was taken from the students at the boarding school Elderly Islamic boarding school (Pesantren) of Roudlotul Muta'allimin Dracik Kramat Batang. The research method used descriptive qualitative approach to straight dialogue (interview) of the respondents, namely the students of Elderly Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren). The study results showed that each of the students have the different religious involvement in filling elderly period (retirement). The involvement includes Ritual Involvement, Ideological Involvement, Intellectual involvement, experimental involvement, and consequential involvement.

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Pembuatan dan Pengujian Mesin Pemotong Lidi Tusuk Sate

Jurnal Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat ◽

10.30653/002.201944.207 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 421-430

Author(s):

Gusri Akhyar Ibrahim ◽

Arinal Hamni ◽

Wahyu Budiono

Keyword(s):

Cutting Machine ◽

Simple Tool ◽

Business Opportunities ◽

The Difference ◽

Time Required ◽

At Home

MAKING AND TESTING OF SKEWERS CUTTING MACHINES. In Indonesia there are more than 100 types of bamboo that can be used by craftsmen, one of which is skewers. Skewers are promising commodities for business opportunities. The process of producing skewers are started from cutting down the bamboo, cutting bamboo, splitting bamboo, shriveling bamboo to become a stick skewer after that is done cutting the skewer sticks, drying sticks, polishing the sticks skewers and chopping sticks. The process of cutting a stick skewer which is done at this time is still using a simple tool, so the results are bad and the cutting time is very long. To maintain the quality of the results of a good stick skewer sticks and to increase the productivity of the stick skewers, the process of producing and testing of a skewer stick cutting machine is done. The method to produce a skewer stick cutting machine is done by designing the tool, determining the material to be used then making it. This skewer stick cutting machine is made with a press system and vertical cutting directions. From the results of testing the skewer stick cutting machine obtained that the quality of skewer cutting is good and the time required to cut is only 10 seconds. the difference is about 50 seconds faster than the hand saws used, so as to increase the productivity of the skewer sticks. The cutting machine was impelemented at home industry at Sidomulyo of South Lampung. Using the machine has increased productity and also quality of skewers.

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Modern Methods for Assessment of the Implantation Potential of Embryos in Assisted Reproductive Programs

Doctor Ru ◽

10.31550/1727-2378-2021-20-8-12-18 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (8) ◽

pp. 12-18

Author(s):

G.V. Savostina ◽

◽

S.G. Perminova ◽

A.V. Timofeeva ◽

M.A. Veyukova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Embryo Culture ◽

Culture Media ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Visual Assessment ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Non Coding Rna ◽

Study Results ◽

Modern Methods ◽

Invasive Method ◽

Aneuploidy Testing

Objective of the Review: To analyse the modern methods for assessment of the implantation potential of embryos in assisted reproductive programs. Key Points. We present the study results for selection of a most optimal embryo for transfer, using visual assessment of embryo quality, preimplantation genetic aneuploidy testing, analysis of metabolomic, proteomic, transcriptomic profiles of culture media and embryo blastocele. We have paid special attention to assessment of small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) in embryo culture medium. Conclusion. Due to the high sensitivity, objectivity and biomarker resistance to degradation, the most promising non-invasive method to assess the implantation potential of an embryo is analysis of the sncRNA profile in embryo culture media. Keywords: aneuploidy, pre-implantation genetic testing, small non-coding RNAs, proteomic analysis, metabolomic analysis.

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Towards a More General Understanding of the Algorithmic Utility of Recurrent Connections

10.1101/2021.03.12.435130 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Brett W. Larsen ◽

Shaul Druckmann

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Large Scale ◽

Neural Circuits ◽

Computation Time ◽

Computational Time ◽

Feedforward Networks ◽

Population Activity ◽

Artificial Neural ◽

The Difference ◽

Recurrent Connections

AbstractLateral and recurrent connections are ubiquitous in biological neural circuits. The strong computational abilities of feedforward networks have been extensively studied; on the other hand, while certain roles for lateral and recurrent connections in specific computations have been described, a more complete understanding of the role and advantages of recurrent computations that might explain their prevalence remains an important open challenge. Previous key studies by Minsky and later by Roelfsema argued that the sequential, parallel computations for which recurrent networks are well suited can be highly effective approaches to complex computational problems. Such “tag propagation” algorithms perform repeated, local propagation of information and were introduced in the context of detecting connectedness, a task that is challenging for feedforward networks. Here, we advance the understanding of the utility of lateral and recurrent computation by first performing a large-scale empirical study of neural architectures for the computation of connectedness to explore feedforward solutions more fully and establish robustly the importance of recurrent architectures. In addition, we highlight a tradeoff between computation time and performance and demonstrate hybrid feedforward/recurrent models that perform well even in the presence of varying computational time limitations. We then generalize tag propagation architectures to multiple, interacting propagating tags and demonstrate that these are efficient computational substrates for more general computations by introducing and solving an abstracted biologically inspired decision-making task. More generally, our work clarifies and expands the set of computational tasks that can be solved efficiently by recurrent computation, yielding hypotheses for structure in population activity that may be present in such tasks.Author SummaryLateral and recurrent connections are ubiquitous in biological neural circuits; intriguingly, this stands in contrast to the majority of current-day artificial neural network research which primarily uses feedforward architectures except in the context of temporal sequences. This raises the possibility that part of the difference in computational capabilities between real neural circuits and artificial neural networks is accounted for by the role of recurrent connections, and as a result a more detailed understanding of the computational role played by such connections is of great importance. Making effective comparisons between architectures is a subtle challenge, however, and in this paper we leverage the computational capabilities of large-scale machine learning to robustly explore how differences in architectures affect a network’s ability to learn a task. We first focus on the task of determining whether two pixels are connected in an image which has an elegant and efficient recurrent solution: propagate a connected label or tag along paths. Inspired by this solution, we show that it can be generalized in many ways, including propagating multiple tags at once and changing the computation performed on the result of the propagation. To illustrate these generalizations, we introduce an abstracted decision-making task related to foraging in which an animal must determine whether it can avoid predators in a random environment. Our results shed light on the set of computational tasks that can be solved efficiently by recurrent computation and how these solutions may appear in neural activity.

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Advantages of CO2 laser use in surgical management of otosclerosis

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp0303273m ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 273-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Svjetlana Matkovic ◽

Boris Kitanoski ◽

Zivorad Malicevic

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Surgical Management ◽

Co2 Laser ◽

Functional Results ◽

Bony Labyrinth ◽

Study Results ◽

Classical Technique ◽

Prospective Comparative Study ◽

The Difference ◽

Determination Of Parameters

Background. Otosclerosis is a progressive osteo-destructive disorder of the bony labyrinth in which the fixation of the stapes causes the hearing loss. The aim of this study was the postoperative determination of parameters of the effect of surgical intervention on hearing and the incidence of complications and, on the basis of the differences in the examined parameters of the study, the estimation of the eficacy of the two mentioned surgical thechniques in the treatment of otosclerosis. Methods. In our research 40 patients with conductive hearing loss caused by otosclerosis underwent surgery with CO2 laser. Functional results were compared postoperatively with the results of 40 patients operated by the classical technique without the use of CO2 laser. The research was accomplished as a prospective comparative study. Results. The air-bone interval (gap) as the difference between the rim of air and bone conductivity for separate frequencies did not significantly differ between the control and the experimental group. Both methods were effective in closing the air-bone gap with the rates of closure to within 10 dB in 82.6% and 75.3% for the laser and drill, respectively. The incidence of tinnitus was significantly lower in patients who underwent surgery with CO2 laser. The frequency of intraoperative and postoperative complications was significantly lower in the laser group. Differences were statistically significant for all parameters (p<0.05). Conclusion. On the basis of the degree of postoperative hearing improvement, tinnitus and the incidence of complications it can be concluded that the use of CO2 laser during inverse stapedoplasty represents an effective and safe method, justifying the promotion of its use in the surgical management of otosclerosis.

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