Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Overlay in the Spine for Surgical Planning: A Technical Report

Background: Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies are used separately for surgical planning of spine surgery. Advanced techniques exist for creating CT-MR fusion images, but at this time these techniques are not easily accessible for large-scale use. Technique: We propose a simple graphical technique for CT-MR image overlay, for use in the surgical planning of spinal decompression and guidance of intraoperative resection. The proposed technique involves overlaying a single cross-section from anatomically comparable MRI and CT studies on any software with basic image editing functions. Results: We demonstrate CT-MR fusion images of 8 patients of the senior author in which the technique was used. We found that it can also be referenced intraoperatively for navigation.Conclusions: Compared to other techniques, our proposed method can be easily implemented by clinicians to create simple CT-MRI fusion images that can be useful for preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation.

The Growth of Internet of Things (IoT) In The Management of Healthcare Issues and Healthcare Policy Development

The internet of things is becoming a new sensation in the medical and healthcare field. Healthcare is one of the sustainable development areas across different regions. This study aims at developing an analysis of Internet of Things (IoT) in the healthcare sector for the purposes of achieving sustainable development. The study took a direction of applied descriptive research. The methodology applied was Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP). This is a single cross- section survey research. After data gathering, the agreed paired comparison matrices, allocated to weighted criteria and the priority of internet of things usage were determined. The two criteria, quality of life and economic prosperity had the highest priority for internet of things sustainable development in the healthcare system. Fall detection, dental health, and ultraviolet radiation wereamong the areas where IoT was found to be applied prominently.

Depth Determınatıon From Gravıty Data Usıng Radıal Amplıtude Spectrum: The Dikili (İzmir) Geothermal Area

The Dikili geothermal area, in the northern part of Izmir province, is one of the best known geothermal areas in Western Anatolia. This study attempts to analyze and interpret Bouguer gravity data to determine average structural depth values and assess geothermal resources using the Radial Amplitude Spectrum Method (RASM), based on 2D Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis. We selected four different areas to apply the method. The greatest advantage of this method over the conventional power spectrum method is that it can determine the mean depth from 2D FFT spectra, not using a single cross-section taken in one direction. Thus, the user can select an area rather than a direction and average depth can be determined more accurately. The results show that average depth values of the top of the reservoir vary between 314 and 640 m in the region.

Damping of coupled bending-torsion beam vibrations by a two-dof tmd with analogous coupling

Coupled bending-torsion vibrations of a beam with a single cross-section axis of symmetry are mitigated by a two-degree-of-freedom (dof) tuned mass damper with a coupling analogous to that of the beam. By modal truncation a four-degree-of-freedom model is derived for tmd tuning. Because of the analogous tmd properties, a stiffness tuning formula identical to that for the classic tuned mass damper secures inverse relations between all four undamped natural frequencies. Expressions for the tmd damping are subsequently found by a numerical search, which maximizes the smallest of the four damping ratios, resulting in equal damping in three of the four modes. The two-dof coupled tmd is finally assessed by numerical root locus and frequency response analysis for a full flexible beam.

Can E-Government Serve as a Tool for Public Authorities to Manage Public Resources More Efficiently?

Innovations in the field of telecommunications and technological development in information processing affect the provision of public services. One of the main priorities of governments is to achieve greater efficiency in the provision of public services and e-government is one of several measures implemented. Our study aims to determine how e-government and efficiency affects the provision of public services in general, and also by functions. We apply a different model to calculate efficiency of the provision of public services and by function. Our empirical analysis, which included correlation and multiple linear regressions, was applied in 2012-2014 for a single cross-section of 35 economies. The results show a significant relationship between e-government and efficiency. Furthermore, we obtain a significant relation between Online Services, Telecommunication Infrastructure and Human Capital with efficiency in the provision of public services.

Driving magnetic turbulence using flux ropes in a moderate guide field linear system

We present a series of experiments on novel, line-tied plasma geometries as a study of the generation of chaos and turbulence in line-tied systems. Plasma production and the injection scale for magnetic energy is provided by spatially discrete plasma guns that inject both plasma and current. The guns represent a technique for controlling the injection scale of magnetic energy. A two-dimensional (2-D) array of magnetic probes provides spatially resolved time histories of the magnetic fluctuations at a single cross-section of the experimental cylinder, allowing simultaneous spatial measurements of chaotic and turbulent behaviour. The first experiment shows chaotic fluctuations and self-organization in a hollow-current line-tied screw pinch. These dynamics is modulated primarily by the applied magnetic field and weakly by the plasma current and safety factor. The second experiment analyses the interactions of multiple line-tied flux ropes. The flux ropes all exhibit chaotic behaviour, and under certain conditions develop an inverse cascade to larger scales and a turbulent inertial range with magnetic energy ($E$) related to perpendicular wave number ($k_{\bot }$) as $E\propto k_{\bot }^{-2.5\pm 0.5}$.

A Parallel Implementation of 3D Computed Tomography Algorithm

A computed tomography problem as a 3D reconstruction of density distribution is considered. The input data are obtained as a result of irradiations. The solution of the computed tomography problem is presented as a set of cross-section images. The reconstruction in a single cross-section is performed by algorithm of convolution and back projection. The parallelization is fulfilled over a set of cross-sections by use of the MPI technology.