Intraoral and dental panoramic imaging: A diagnostic reference level study comparing radiation dose using two dosimeters in Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this study was to determine local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for patients undergoing intraoral and panoramic dental examinations at the intraoral radiology units of the public hospitals in Najran, Saudi Arabia. DRLs were determined based on measurements of dose area product (DAP) at intraoral and dental panoramic radiology units. This study has covered over 47% of the public hospitals in Najran with the intention to establish the local DRLs for all the possible intraoral and panoramic X-ray examinations for children and adults. For intraoral, the values for the estimated DAP ranged from 6 to 70 mGy.cm2 (average: 27.6, 29.8, 39.9 and 39.6 mGy.cm2 for incisive, both premolar and canine, molar upper and lower jaw, respectively). For panoramic, the mean value of DAP is 61.5 and 89.8 mGy.cm2 for paediatric and adult patients, respectively. DRLs were established at the 3rd quartile for incisive, both premolar and canine, molar upper and lower jaw protocols are 29.2, 37.1, 50.2 and 50.1 mGy.cm2, respectively. Furthermore, DRLs for panoramic radiography for paediatric and adult patients are 72.7 and 92.3 mGy.cm2, respectively. The proposed DRLs were comparable to those previously reported in other countries, such as UK and India.

Site Identification and Sample Analysis with ExoMars Mission mock-up instruments on a Martian analogue site on Mt. Etna

<p>The landing site of the ExoMars 2022 mission is Oxia Planum, a basin rich in hydrated minerals located between Mawrth and Ares Vallis. Its clay-rich deposits of Noachian age have been covered by volcanic outflows, that have only recently started to erode away. This makes it more likely that biochemical markers have been preserved as they were shielded from long-term cosmic ray exposure.</p> <p>Martian analogue sites are valuable testing-grounds for both instrumentation and scientific analysis. During the EuroMoonMars Etna campaign, mockups of ExoMars instruments were used to perform scientific analysis on a Martian Analogue site on Mt. Etna.</p> <p>Satellite images are used to identify sites of interest on the slopes of Mt. Etna, mimicking the use of images and data from the MRO CTX, HiRISE, MEX HRSC and the CRISM spectrometer, to characterise the surface of Oxia Planum during the ExoMars Mission.</p> <p>On the ground, Panoramic imaging and wide-angle photographs are used to select sites for close-up study with a mock-up of the Pancam instrument. Pancam is a set of two wide angle cameras for multi-spectral stereoscopic panoramic imaging, and a high resolution camera for colour imaging.</p> <p>On selected sites, geological and biogeochemical markers are identified and characterized using Raman spectroscopy and optical microscopy, mimicking ExoMars’ onboard instruments RLS (Raman Laser spectrometer), and CLUPI (Close-up imager).</p>

REAL TIME VIDEO STITCHING IMPLEMENTATION ON A ZYNQ FPGA SOC

This project details the design and implementation of an image processing pipeline that targets real time video-stitching for semi-panoramic video synthesis. The scope of the project includes the analysis of possible approaches, selection of processing algorithms and procedures, design of experimental hardware set-up (including the schematic capture design of a custom catadioptric panoramic imaging system) and firmware/software development of the vision processing system components. The goal of the project is to develop a frame-stitching IP module as well as an efficient video registration algorithm capable for synthesis of a semi-panoramic video-stream at 30 frames-per-second (fps) rate with minimal FPGA resource utilization. The developed components have been validated in hardware. Finally, a number of hybrid architectures that make use of the synergy between the CPU and FPGA section of the ZYNQ SoC have been investigated and prototyped as alternatives to a complete hardware solution. Keyword: Video stitching, Panoramic vision, FPGA, SoC, vision system, registration

REAL TIME VIDEO STITCHING IMPLEMENTATION ON A ZYNQ FPGA SOC

This project details the design and implementation of an image processing pipeline that targets real time video-stitching for semi-panoramic video synthesis. The scope of the project includes the analysis of possible approaches, selection of processing algorithms and procedures, design of experimental hardware set-up (including the schematic capture design of a custom catadioptric panoramic imaging system) and firmware/software development of the vision processing system components. The goal of the project is to develop a frame-stitching IP module as well as an efficient video registration algorithm capable for synthesis of a semi-panoramic video-stream at 30 frames-per-second (fps) rate with minimal FPGA resource utilization. The developed components have been validated in hardware. Finally, a number of hybrid architectures that make use of the synergy between the CPU and FPGA section of the ZYNQ SoC have been investigated and prototyped as alternatives to a complete hardware solution. Keyword: Video stitching, Panoramic vision, FPGA, SoC, vision system, registration

The Digital Diagnostic Approach to Stafne’s Bone Cavity (SBC): From a Review of the Literature to the Description of a Clinical Case.

Introduction: Stafne’s Bone Cavity [SBC] is a rare, well-defined, mandibular bone lesion, which was first discovered by Edward C. Stafne in 1942. Objective: The purpose of this article is to evaluate a digital diagnostic approach to Stafne’s Bone Cavity (SBC) through a review and description of some clinical cases. Methods: The review was conducted through an analysis of the literature of all articles published on Stafne’s Bone Cavity. We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient who needed tooth implant rehabilitation, and therefore, a panoramic radiograph was taken as part of the routine evaluation and plan of care. After the diagnosis, the focus was on more precise imaging and the merits of choosing Computerized Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging were compared. Results: According to our review of the literature, the prevalence of these cavities was found to be 0.14%, while 8% of them were found in male patients and 72% of them were found in male patients older than 44 years of age. The patient’s panoramic radiograph revealed the presence of an SBC in his left posterior side of the mandible. In order to confirm and improve the diagnosis, the patient underwent a Computer Tomography exam, chosen for its benefits outweighing those of an MRI. Conclusion: Stafne’s bone cavity (SBC) is indeed an uncommon finding as it is asymptomatic and is identified only through panoramic imaging, CT scans or MRIs. However, it can pose some logistical problems in the application of dental implants. The typology of this case study confirmed the findings of the systematic review; the patient, being a middle aged male, presented a mandibular SBC, which was discovered only during a routine panoramic x-ray to plan the fitting of dental implants. The use of tomography confirmed the diagnosis of SBC and detailed the anatomical structure, thus guiding the restoration process.

The Potential of a Surface-Modified Titanium Implant with Tetrapeptide for Osseointegration Enhancement

In this study, the innovative dip-coating technique treated titanium (IDCT-Ti) implant with tetrapeptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp (GRGD) coating was investigated for its potential to enhance osseointegration. The L929 fibroblast cells were cultured in different concentrations of the GRGD (1%, 2%, and 5%). The cell viability was assessed through 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and live/dead staining. The surface topography and nano-indentation were analyzed by atomic force microscopy. The hemocompatibility was evaluated via field-emission scanning electron microscopy, while contact angle analysis was detected by a goniometer. Radiograph evaluation was determined by panoramic imaging. It was found that the cell growth increased and had a survival rate of more than 70% in 1% GRGD. The mortality of L929 increased with the higher concentration of GRGD. The IDCT-Ti coated with 1% GRGD showed a nano-surface with a Young’s modulus that was similar to human cortical bone, and it displayed greater red blood cell accumulations with abundant fibrin formation. As regards the wettability, the IDCT-Ti coated with 1% GRGD was lower than the SLA (sandblasted, large-grit, and acid-etched) treated implant. The X-ray image exhibited no bone loss around the implant at six months after placement. As a result, this study suggests that the IDCT-Ti implant, coated with 1% GRGD, has a tremendous likeliness to enhance osseointegration.

Panoramic Stereo Imaging of a Bionic Compound-Eye Based on Binocular Vision

With the rapid development of the virtual reality industry, one of the bottlenecks is the scarcity of video resources. How to capture high-definition panoramic video with depth information and real-time stereo display has become a key technical problem to be solved. In this paper, the optical optimization design scheme of panoramic imaging based on binocular stereo vision is proposed. Combined with the real-time processing algorithm of multi detector mosaic panoramic stereo imaging image, a panoramic stereo real-time imaging system is developed. Firstly, the optical optimization design scheme of panoramic imaging based on binocular stereo vision is proposed, and the space coordinate calibration platform of ultra-high precision panoramic camera based on theodolite angle compensation function is constructed. The projection matrix of adjacent cameras is obtained by solving the imaging principle of binocular stereo vision. Then, a real-time registration algorithm of multi-detector mosaic image and Lucas-Kanade optical flow method based on image segmentation are proposed to realize stereo matching and depth information estimation of panoramic imaging, and the estimation results are analyzed effectively. Experimental results show that the stereo matching time of panoramic imaging is 30 ms, the registration accuracy is 0.1 pixel, the edge information of depth map is clearer, and it can meet the imaging requirements of different lighting conditions.