Medical Image Fusion Using Deep Learning Mechanism

Sparse representation(SR) model named convolutional sparsity based morphological component analysis is introduced for pixel-level medical image fusion. The CS-MCA model can achieve multicomponent and global SRs of source images, by integrating MCA and convolutional sparse representation(CSR) into a unified optimization framework. In the existing method, the CSRs of its gradient and texture components are obtained by the CSMCA model using pre-learned dictionaries. Then for each image component, sparse coefficients of all the source images are merged and then fused component is reconstructed using the corresponding dictionary. In the extension mechanism, we are using deep learning based pyramid decomposition. Now a days deep learning is a very demanding technology. Deep learning is used for image classification, object detection, image segmentation, image restoration. Keywords: CNN, CT, MRI, MCA, CS-MCA.

Simplifying the OpenFlexure microscope software with the web of things

We present the OpenFlexure Microscope software stack which provides computer control of our open source motorised microscope. Our diverse community of users needs both graphical and script-based interfaces. We split the control code into client and server applications interfaced via a web API conforming to the W3C Web of Things standard. A graphical interface is viewed either in a web browser or in our cross-platform Electron application, and gives basic interactive control including common operations such as Z stack acquisition and tiled scanning. Automated control is possible from Python and M atlab , or any language that supports HTTP requests. Network control makes the software stack more robust, allows multiple microscopes to be controlled by one computer, and facilitates sharing of equipment. Graphical and script-based clients can run simultaneously, making it easier to monitor ongoing experiments. We have included an extension mechanism to add functionality, for example controlling additional hardware components or adding automation routines. Using a Web of Things approach has resulted in a user-friendly and extremely versatile software control solution for the OpenFlexure Microscope, and we believe this approach could be generalized in the future to make automated experiments involving several instruments much easier to implement.

Implantation of an attachment tube preserves knee extension after nonunion of Felix IV fracture: a case report

Background While commonly utilized to fix tissue and muscles to megaprostheses to restore function and stability after tumor surgery, an attachment tube was used as a synthetic reconstruction of the knee joint’s extension mechanism after nonunion of Felix IV C fracture. Fixation of the tibial fragment, and therefore its osteointegration, is complicated after total knee arthroplasty, causing tibial tubercle dislocation. Case presentation A 61-year-old German patient presented to our clinic with Felix IV C fracture, persistent knee pain, and reduced knee extension strength. In this special case, mobilization and reattachment of the tibial tubercle was not possible because of necrosis and underlying tibial component. Therefore, we covered the defect with cement and used an polyethylene terephthalate tube for knee extension system augmentation. Follow-up after 10 months demonstrated a good clinical result. Conclusion The management of Felix IV C fractures is complicated by the underlying prosthesis resulting in redislocation of the fragment and persistent symptoms of pain and reduced functionality. We here present a new surgical technique to treat periprosthetic fracture complicated by tibial tubercle dislocation. Good clinical and radiologic results on follow-up after 10 months indicate the use of attachment tubes as a suitable surgical technique to restore knee joint extension and to reduce knee pain after dislocated Felix IV C fracture.

Novel Methotrexate-Loaded Zein Nanoparticles With Improved and Extended Biopharmaceutical Performance: QbD-Steered Development, and Extensive In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

The current work entails QbD-enabled preparation of methotrexate-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) using zein as the release-controlling natural polymer. Initially, quality risk estimationand factor screening studies using Taguchi design were undertaken to delineate “vital few” process and material attributes among “plausible so many”. Further, formulation optimization using central composite design and validation using correlation plots and percent predictive bias was carried out. Optimized NPs exhibited mean size of 159 nm, zeta potential of 14.85 mV and entrapment of 50.23%. In vitro dissolution kinetic modelling unearthed non-Fickian drug release extension mechanism from the proposed zein NPs. In vitro MTT and apoptosis assay using MCF-7 cells and cellular uptake studies using Caco-2 cells indicate remarkably superior anticancer potential of zein NPs over pure methotrexate, ascribable to their nanometric size and cationic nature. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rat construed significant enhancement by 2.15-fold in AUC48h (p<0.001), 1.30-fold in Cmax (p<0.05), 3.67-fold in Tmax (p<0.001), and 1.38-fold in T1/2 (p<0.01), along with notably reduced variability in biopharmaceutical performance. Establishment of significant point-to-point level A in vitro/in vivo correlations (IVIVC) and kinetic modeling construed the robustness and prognostic ability of drug release studies. Robustness of the nanoformulation was ratified under refrigerated storage through six months’stability studies. Overall, the studies unequivocally indicate development of a stable nanoparticulate formulation with significantly enhanced extent, extension and consistency of biopharmaceutical performance, along with improved anticancer potential of methotrexate.

In vivo stiffness assessment of patellar and quadriceps tendons by strain ultrasound elastography

BACKGROUND: The patellar and quadriceps tendons are responsible for the extension mechanism of the knee joint and frequently become inflamed during sports. Diagnosis and determination of when an athlete can return to sports following these injuries are usually performed by assessing morphological features and functional outcomes. Nevertheless, mechanical properties are not being assessed. OBJECTIVE: To describe the stiffness characteristics of these two tendons over the range of knee flexion and to test the feasibility of using strain ultrasound elastography (SE). METHODS: SE with an acoustic coupler as the reference was performed for nine healthy males. Relative stiffness measurements were obtained using the strain ratio (SR = target tissue strain/reference strain) by placing the knee in five different flexion angles. Lower SR indicates higher relative stiffness. RESULTS: This study showed reliable measurement with good intra- and inter-rater agreement for SR at 30°. SR of the quadriceps tendon decreases as knee flexion increases, indicating increased relative stiffness. In the patellar tendon, no significant difference was observed between 30° and 60°. Beyond 60°, relative stiffness increased constantly. CONCLUSIONS: SE is a reproducible and feasible tool to monitor relative stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendons in routine clinical settings.

Study on the Fast Extension Mechanism of Double-Cavity Shock Absorber with High-Pressure Piston

Double-cavity shock absorber with high-pressure piston is the core component of the nose landing gear of the carrier-based aircraft, and its fast-extension performance seriously affects the safety of the catapult-assisted takeoff. The design of a carrier-based aircraft in our country is carried out based on the traditional method of fast-extension dynamics, and it is found that the fast-extension capability is larger than designed. This paper analyzes the working principle of the high-pressure piston shock absorber and explains that the high-pressure air cavity pushes the piston rod to extend rapidly, which will cause the cavitation phenomenon in the main oil chamber. Thus, the cavitation in the main oil chamber makes the traditional modeling method of oil-liquid resistance force no longer applicable. Then, the axial force modeling method of shock absorber considering the cavitation effect is proposed. Based on the carrier-based aircraft, the dynamic response of the shock absorber in the process of fast extension is calculated and then it is compared with the calculation results of the traditional dynamic method. It is found that due to the cavitation effect caused by the forced fast extension section of the high-pressure air plug shock absorber, the fast extension work increases by 67.6%, thus, revealing the fast extension mechanism of the double-chamber shock absorber with high-pressure piston and successfully explaining the phenomenon of the fast extension ability exceeding the expectation of the shock absorber.

The zebrafish presomitic mesoderm elongates through compression-extension

In vertebrate embryos the presomitic mesoderm become progressively segmented into somites at the anterior end while extending along the anterior-posterior axis. A commonly adopted model to explain how this tissue elongates is that of posterior growth, driven in part by the addition of new cells from uncommitted progenitor populations in the tailbud. However, in zebrafish, much of somitogenesis is associated with an absence of overall volume increase and posterior progenitors do not contribute new cells until the final stages of somitogenesis. Here, we perform a comprehensive 3D morphometric analysis of the paraxial mesoderm and reveal that extension is linked to a volumetric decrease, compression in both dorsal-ventral and medio-lateral axes, and an increase in cell density. We also find that individual cells decrease in their cell volume over successive somite stages. Live cell tracking confirms that much of this tissue deformation occurs within the presomitic mesoderm progenitor zone and is associated with non-directional rearrangement. Furthermore, unlike the trunk somites that are laid down during gastrulation, tail somites develop from a tissue that can continue to elongate in the absence of functional PCP signalling. Taken together, we propose a compression-extension mechanism of tissue elongation that highlights the need to better understand the role of tissue intrinsic and extrinsic forces play in regulating morphogenesis.

Mechanism reliability and sensitivity analysis of landing gear under multiple failure modes

For a certain type of aircraft landing gear retraction-extension mechanism, a multi-body dynamic simulation model is established, and the time-dependent curves of force and angle are obtained. Considering the random uncertainty of friction coefficient, assembly error, and the change of hinge wear under different retraction times, the reliability model is built including three failure modes of landing gear, i.e. blocking failure, positioning failure and accuracy failure. Based on the adaptive Kriging model, the reliability and sensitivity of retraction-extension system under the condition of single failure mode and multiple failure modes in series are analyzed, and the rule of reliability and sensitivity changing with the number of operations is given. The results show that the system failure probability of landing gear mechanism tends to decrease first and then increase when considering the given information of random factors, and the influences of random factors on the failure probability vary with the number of operations. This work provides a viable tool for the reliability analysis and design of landing gear mechanisms.

Design, modeling, and demonstration of a new dual-mode back-assist exosuit with extension mechanism

Occupational exoskeletons and exosuits have been shown to reduce muscle demands and fatigue for physical tasks relevant to a variety of industries (e.g., logistics, construction, manufacturing, military, healthcare). However, adoption of these devices into the workforce has been slowed by practical factors related to comfort, form-factor, weight, and not interfering with movement or posture. We previously introduced a low-profile, dual-mode exosuit comprised of textile and elastic materials to address these adoption barriers. Here we build upon this prior work by introducing an extension mechanism that increases the moment arm of the exosuit while in engaged mode, then collapses in disengaged mode to retain key benefits related to being lightweight, low-profile, and unobstructive. Here we demonstrate both analytically and empirically how this extensible exosuit concept can (a) reduce device-to-body forces (which can improve comfort for some users and situations), or (b) increase the magnitude of torque assistance about the low back (which may be valuable for heavy-lifting jobs) without increasing shoulder or leg forces relative to the prior form-fitting exosuit. We also introduce a novel mode-switching mechanism, as well as a human-exosuit biomechanical model to elucidate how individual design parameters affect exosuit assistance torque and device-to-body forces. The proof-of-concept prototype, case study, and modeling work provide a foundation for understanding and implementing extensible exosuits for a broad range of applications. We envision promising opportunities to apply this new dual-mode extensible exosuit concept to assist heavy-lifting, to further enhance user comfort, and to address the unique needs of last-mile and other delivery workers.