Optimization based ECG watermarking in RDWT-SVD domain.

With the increase in point of care services, communication of digital patient records through open network has multi-folded. This digital data is used to obtain the remote medical assistance from the smart healthcare centres. Protecting this data during transmission is a very big challenge. One of the most important medical data is electrocardiogram (ECG) signal which detects the cardiovascular diseases and any alteration in the signal may affect the diagnosis. In this work, an ECG watermarking based on redundant discrete wavelet transform (RDWT) and singular value decomposition (SVD) is developed. First, the ECG signal is converted into 2-D matrix using pan-tompkins algorithm. Then, we use the hybrid of RDWT and SVD to conceal the patient data and logo image into the 2-D ECG image. We also use hybrid of optimization scheme to improve the robustness of the watermark. Preliminary experimental results indicate the optimal invisibility and robustness result is more effective up to 97.89% than the traditional schemes respectively, which makes it suitable for ownership authentication of ECG signal.

Gamma-irradiation-induced micro-structural variations in flame-retardant polyurethane foam using synchrotron X-ray micro-tomography.

Flame-retardant polyurethane foams are potential packing materials for the transport casks of highly active nuclear materials for shock absorption and insulation purposes. Exposure of high doses of gamma radiation causes cross-linking and chain sectioning of macromolecules in this polymer foam, which leads to reorganization of their cellular microstructure and thereby variations in physico-mechanical properties. In this study, in-house-developed flame-retardant rigid polyurethane foam samples were exposed to gamma irradiation doses in the 0-20 kGy range and synchrotron radiation X-ray micro-computed tomography (SR-µCT) imaging was employed for the analysis of radiation-induced morphological variations in their cellular microstructure. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of SR-µCT images has revealed significant variations in the average cell size, shape, wall thickness, orientations and spatial anisotropy of the cellular microstructure in polyurethane foam.

Phantom-Based Feasibility Studies on Phase-Contrast Mammography at Indian Synchrotron Facility Indus-2.

INTRODUCTION: Use of synchrotron radiation (SR) X-ray source in medical imaging has shown great potential for improving soft-tissue image contrast such as the breast. The present study demonstrates quantitative X-ray phase-contrast imaging (XPCI) technique derived from propagation-dependent phase change observed in the breast tissue-equivalent test materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Indian synchrotron facility (Indus-2, Raja Ramanna Centre of Advanced Technology [RRCAT]) was used to carry out phantom feasibility study on phase-contrast mammography. Different phantoms and samples, including locally fabricated breast tissue-equivalent phantoms were used to perform absorption and phase mode imaging using 12 and 16 keV SR X-ray beam. Edge-enhancement index (EEI) and edge enhancement to noise ratio (EE/N) were measured for all the images. Absorbed dose to air values were calculated for 12 and 16 keV SR X-ray beam using the measured SR X-ray photon flux at the object plane and by applying the standard radiation dosimetry formalism. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It was observed in case of all the phantoms and test samples that EEI and EE/N values are relatively higher for images taken in the phase mode. The absorbed dose to air at imaging plane was found to be 75.59 mGy and 28.9 mGy for 12 and 16 keV SR energies, respectively. However, these dose values can be optimized by reducing the image acquisition time without compromising the image quality when clinical samples are imaged. This work demonstrates the feasibility of XPCI in mammography using 12 and 16 keV SR X-ray beams.

3D spatial distribution of ore mineral phases using high resolution synchrotron micro-computed tomography (µCT) combined with optical microscopy.

Ore minerals in dolomites and Graphite Mica Schist (GMS) were studied by synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SR-µCT) and optical microscopy. High resolution µCT images of ore minerals were obtained at Imaging Beamline (BL-4), Indus-2 synchrotron radiation source for the comprehensive volume characterization of minerals. Optical microscopy was used for mineral identification, mineral/rock characterization and quantification of ore mineral assemblages was also confirmed by XRD. 3D images from SR-µCT have shown spatial distribution of major minerals and crystals of different minerals in the volume of samples. The results obtained shows that the GMS and dolomitic hosted rocks mined from region near Udaipur, Rajasthan contains sulfide mineral phases. SR-µCT facilitates visualization of the association of the various metallic minerals with the host rock. The presence of economically important metallic minerals galena, sphalerite and pyrite found in the samples through SR-µCT has implications on exploration and processing of ores.

Synchrotron-based phase-sensitive imaging of leaves grown from magneto-primed seeds of soybean.

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on the venation network of soybean leaves using the synchrotron-based X-ray micro-imaging technique. The seeds of soybean (Glycine max, variety JS-335) were pretreated with different SMFs from 50 to 300 mT in steps of 50 mT for 1 h. The phase-contrast images obtained showed that, as the strength of the SMF increased, the area, width of the midrib, area of the midrib and minor vein of the middle leaflets of third trifoliate leaves also increased up to the SMF strength of 200 mT (1 h) and decreased thereafter. Quantification of the major conducting vein also showed the differences in the major and minor vein structures of the soybean leaves as compared with control leaves. Further, the phase-retrieval technique has been applied to make the segmentation process easy and to quantify the major and minor veins in the venation network. The width and area of midrib enhancement by pre-treatment with SMF implies an enhancement in the uptake of water, which in turn causes an increased rate of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance.

Development and performance evaluation of frustum cone shaped churn for small scale production of butter.

The present research was intended to develop a small scale butter churn and its performance by altering churning temperature and churn speed during butter making. In the present study, the cream was churned at different temperatures (8, 10 and 12 °C) and churn speeds (35, 60 and 85 rpm). The optimum parameters of churning time (40 min), moisture content (16 %) and overrun (19.42 %) were obtained when cream was churned at churning temperature of 10 °C and churn speed of 60 rpm. Using appropriate conditions of churning temperature and churn speed, high quality butter can be produced at cottage scale.

Synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging of leaf venation in soybean (Glycine max) after exclusion of solar UV (280-400†nm) radiation.

The hydraulic efficiency of a leaf depends on its vascular structure as this is responsible for transport activities. To investigate the effect of exclusion of UVAB and UVB radiation from the solar spectrum on the micro-structure of leaves of soybean (Glycine max, variety JS-335), a field experiment was conducted using synchrotron-based phase contrast imaging (PCI). Plants were grown in specially designed UV exclusion chambers, and wrapped with filters that excluded UVB (280-315 nm) or UVAB (280-400 nm), or transmitted all the ambient solar UV (280-400 nm) radiation (filter control). Qualitative observation of high-resolution X-ray PCI images obtained at 10 keV has shown the differences in major and minor vein structures of the leaves. The mid-rib width of the middle leaflet of third trifoliate leaves, for all treatments, were obtained using quantitative image analysis. The width of the mid-rib of the middle leaflet of third trifoliate leaves of UVB excluded plants was found to be more compared to leaves of filter control plants, which are exposed to ambient UV. The mid-rib or the main conducting vein transports water and sugars to the whole plant; therefore, mid-rib enhancement by the exclusion of solar UV radiation possibly implies enhancement in the leaf area which in turn causes an increased rate of photosynthesis.

Biomechanical investigation of 'figure of 8' flexor tendon repair techniques.

This biomechanical study compared the original Al-Qattan repair with other modifications postulated to reduce bulk and friction, thereby potentially improving outcome. A total of 32 cadaveric digits with intact flexor apparatus were used. In each digit, the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis tendons were cut cleanly in Zone 2. We tested Al-Qattan's technique along with three modifications using stronger suture material and varying the number of strands across the repair site. Of the four repair techniques, the modified Al-Qattan's technique using two 'figure of 8' 4-0 Fiberwire core sutures (Group 4) had the best balance of ultimate tensile strength (50.9 N), 2 mm gapping force (38 N) and friction. The modified technique provided a stronger repair for early active mobilization and has less friction than the originally described repair.

Non-destructive evaluation of teeth restored with different composite resins using synchrotron based micro-imaging.

BACKGROUND: Application of high resolution synchrotron micro-imaging in microdefects studies of restored dental samples. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the defects in restorations done by two different resin systems on teeth samples using synchrotron based micro-imaging techniques namely Phase Contrast Imaging (PCI) and micro-computed tomography (MCT). With this aim acquired image quality was also compared with routinely used RVG (Radiovisiograph). METHODS: Crowns of human teeth samples were fractured mechanically involving only enamel and dentin, without exposure of pulp chamber and were divided into two groups depending on the restorative composite materials used. Group A samples were restored using a submicron Hybrid composite material and Group B samples were restored using a Nano-Hybrid restorative composite material. Synchrotron based PCI and MCT was performed with the aim of visualization of tooth structure, composite resin and their interface. RESULTS: The quantitative and qualitative comparison of phase contrast and absorption contrast images along with MCT on the restored teeth samples shows comparatively large number of voids in Group A samples. CONCLUSIONS: Quality assessment of dental restorations using synchrotron based micro-imaging suggests Nano-Hybrid resin restorations (Group B) are better than Group A.

Application of X-ray micro-CT for micro-structural characterization of APCVD deposited SiC coatings on graphite conduit.

SiC coatings are commonly used as oxidation protective materials in high-temperature applications. The operational performance of the coating depends on its microstructure and uniformity. This study explores the feasibility of applying tabletop X-ray micro-CT for the micro-structural characterization of SiC coating. The coating is deposited over the internal surface of pipe structured graphite fuel tube, which is a prototype of potential components of compact high-temperature reactor (CHTR). The coating is deposited using atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) and properties such as morphology, porosity, thickness variation are evaluated. Micro-structural differences in the coating caused by substrate distance from precursor inlet in a CVD reactor are also studied. The study finds micro-CT a potential tool for characterization of SiC coating during its future course of engineering. We show that depletion of reactants at larger distances causes development of larger pores in the coating, which affects its morphology, density and thickness.

Design, development and first experiments on the X-ray imaging beamline at Indus-2 synchrotron source RRCAT, India.

A full-field hard X-ray imaging beamline (BL-4) was designed, developed, installed and commissioned recently at the Indus-2 synchrotron radiation source at RRCAT, Indore, India. The bending-magnet beamline is operated in monochromatic and white beam mode. A variety of imaging techniques are implemented such as high-resolution radiography, propagation- and analyzer-based phase contrast imaging, real-time imaging, absorption and phase contrast tomography etc. First experiments on propagation-based phase contrast imaging and micro-tomography are reported.

Reflex syncope, anxiety level, and family history of cardiovascular disease in young women: case-control study.

AIMS: Anxiety is an emotion, which stimulates sympathetic nervous outflow potentially facilitating vasovagal reflex syncope (VVS) but reports on anxiety levels in patients with VVS are sparse. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied anxiety levels in young women (21-40 years) referred for unexplained transient loss of consciousness (TLOC), and age-matched female controls with or without past history of TLOC (≈probable VVS). Referred patients underwent head-up tilt (HUT) according to current ESC Guidelines. State and Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire evaluated anxiety levels plus a questionnaire explored risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sixty-five of 91 women were diagnosed with VVS on HUT. Among 549 controls, 223 (40.6%) reported at least one episode of TLOC. State-anxiety level in patients with VVS undergoing HUT (42.4 ± 9.3) was higher compared with both controls with (38.3 ± 10.2; P < 0.01) and without past TLOC history (35.9 ± 9.8; P < 0.001). Trait anxiety in patients with VVS (42.7 ± 8.4), and controls with TLOC history (42.4 ± 8.4) was higher compared with controls without TLOC history (39.7 ± 8.5; P < 0.01). In the logistic regression using controls without TLOC as reference, both VVS diagnosis and past history of TLOC were associated with family history of CVD [odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3-4.4; P = 0.007, and 2.3, 1.4-3.6; P = 0.001, respectively], and this association was independent of anxiety level. CONCLUSIONS: Trait anxiety and family history of CVD are increased in both young women with VVS and controls with history of TLOC. However, the height of anxiety level does not explain CVD heredity and other mechanisms may link syncope with CVD.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei originating from urachus-case report and review of the literature.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (pmp) is a rare clinical condition defined as extensive intraperitoneal spread of mucus associated with a variety of mucinous tumours of varying biologic behavior. Although appendix or ovaries have usually been implicated as the primary site, cases have been reported in association with neoplastic lesions of other sites. Pseudomyxoma peritonei originating from urachal remnants is a unique entity, reported only 18 times in the English literature thus far. Considering the rarity of the lesion, we report the case of a 50-year-old man surgically treated for pmp associated with a low-grade mucinous urachal neoplasm. Unique aspects of case are the low histologic aggressiveness of the causative lesion (reported only twice worldwide) and the early stage of the disease, with a relatively small amount of intraperitoneal free mucin. Review of the literature about pmp in general and a collation of previously reported cases of pmp originating from the urachus are presented and discussed.

Energy use pattern in rice milling industries-a critical appraisal.

Rice milling industry is one of the most energy consuming industries. Like capital, labour and material, energy is one of the production factors which used to produce final product. In economical term, energy is demand-derived goods and can be regarded as intermediate good whose demand depends on the demand of final product. This paper deals with various types of energy pattern used in rice milling industries viz., thermal energy, mechanical energy, electrical energy and human energy. The important utilities in a rice mill are water, air, steam, electricity and labour. In a rice mill some of the operations are done manually namely, cleaning, sun drying, feeding paddy to the bucket elevators, weighing and packaging, etc. So the man-hours are also included in energy accounting. Water is used for soaking and steam generation. Electricity is the main energy source for these rice mills and is imported form the state electricity board grids. Electricity is used to run motors, pumps, blowers, conveyors, fans, lights, etc. The variations in the consumption rate of energy through the use of utilities during processing must also accounted for final cost of the finished product. The paddy milling consumes significant quantity of fuels and electricity. The major energy consuming equipments in the rice milling units are; boilers and steam distribution, blowers, pumps, conveyers, elevators, motors, transmission systems, weighing, etc. Though, wide variety of technologies has been evolved for efficient use of energy for various equipments of rice mills, so far, only a few have improved their energy efficiency levels. Most of the rice mills use old and locally available technologies and are also completely dependent on locally available technical personnel.

Salsolinol induced apoptotic changes in neural stem cells: amelioration by neurotrophin support.

Salsolinol (SAL), a catechol isoquinoline has invited considerable attention due to its structural similarity with dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Its high endogenous presence in Parkinsonian brain implicated its possible association with the disease process. SAL is also present in alcohol beverages and certain food materials and can get access to brain especially in conditions of immature or impaired BBB. Besides this, the effect of SAL on neural stem cells (NSCs) which are potential candidates for adult neurogenesis and transplantation mediated rejuvenating attempts for Parkinson's disease (PD) brain has not been known so far. NSCs in both the cases have to overcome suppressive cues of diseased brain for their survival and function. In this study we explored the toxicity of SAL toward NSCs focusing on apoptosis and status of PI3K survival signaling. NSCs cultured from embryonic day 11 rat fetal brain including those differentiated to TH(+ve) colonies, when challenged with SAL (1-100µM), elicited a concentration and time dependent cell death/loss of mitochondrial viability. 10µM SAL on which significant mitochondrial impairment initiated was further used to study mechanism of toxicity. Morphological impairment, enhanced TUNEL positivity, cleaved caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2:Bax suggested apoptosis. Sal toxicity coincided with reduced pAkt level and its downstream effectors: pCREB, pGSK-3ß, Bcl-2 and neurotrophins GDNF, BDNF suggesting repressed PI3K/Akt signaling. Multiple neurotrophic factor support in the form of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell's Conditioned Media (OEC CM) potentially protected NSCs against SAL through activating PI3K/Akt pathway. This was confirmed on adding LY294002 the PI3K inhibitor which abolished the protection. We inferred that SAL exerts substantial toxicity toward NSCs. These findings will lead to better understanding of endogenous threats that might affect the fate of transplanted NSCs and their probable antidotes.

Monitoring the trace metals concentration in rice by flame atomic absorption spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer.

The objective of this study was to monitor the concentration of trace metals in rice. Eight different commercial rice samples were collected from retail market and among these samples Fe, Cd, Cr and Zn metal concentrations were determined by using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-AES). The powdered rice samples were digested by wet chemical method. The analytical results obtained by both the instruments were found comparable. The accuracy of the method has been confirmed by analyzing Certified Reference Material CRM No. 10-b of National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES). The concentrations of Fe, Cd, Cr and Zn in different brands were found in the range of 15.4 +/- 1.1 to 57.7 +/- 2.5 mg/kg, 0.08 +/- 0.03 to 0.39 +/- 0.05 mg/kg, 0.16 +/- 0.03 to 0.58 +/- 0.08 mg/kg and 7.3 +/- 0.3 to 18.6 +/- 0.5 mg/kg respectively. The standard deviation of the measurements has been calculated for Fe, Cd, Cr and Zn in six replicates of each sample and was found to be less than +/- 3% by the method proposed.

Histopathological evaluation of recurrent goiter.

The recurrent goiter is the regrowth of thyroid tissue after thyroidectomy. An inadequate surgical removal of the thyroid gland, lack of substitution therapy and pathological stimulation of the thyroid growth can all promote the recurrence. The aim of this study was to find the connection between the histopathological findings during the first and second operation and the recurrence of goiter. The study group consisted of 29 women and 1 man. The mean time to recurrence was 15 years. The most frequent histopathological finding during the first and second operation was struma nodosa. According to our observations different histopathological findings were found in 63.4% cases after primary and secondary thyroidectomy. Some genetic investigations showed that nodules in recurrent goiters did not derive from nodules left during the first operation but from a group of cells which had high growth potential. Thus, not only the operation technique and substitution after operation are key factors of successful therapy of goiter, but also other factors which stimulate the re-growth of thyroid tissue.

Prognostic value of CA 19-9 level in resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer is poor and some authors describe it as a lethal disease. At the time of diagnosis only 14% of patients could be surgically treated and up to 30% of them die within 12 months. Therefore, further clinical investigations on preoperative patient qualification are needed. A total of 81 patients were included into the study. The CA 19-9 concentration was measured before surgery by an automated, commercially available enzyme immunoassay in Axsym analyzer (Abott Diagnostics Laboratory). A value of 37 U/ml was used as the upper limit of normal levels. Tumors were staged according to the Union Against Cancer (UICC) of 2004 and graded during the histological evaluation according to the G0-G4 scale. All patients were monitored every three month via outpatient clinic visits. In the case of missing visit we contacted the families to establish the cause. We assessed perioperative, 12 month, 2 year and 5 year survival. Twelve moth, 2 year and 5 year survival were assessed in the whole studied population and in the group of patients with the exception of these who died during the perioperative period. The total five year survival was 6%. The median time of survival was 467 days (range: 163 - 586 days). The perioperative period was survived by 91.4% patients, 12 months were survived by 71.6% patients, 2 years were survived by 35.8% patients, 5 years were survived by 6.2% patients. The serum Ca 19-9 level was above the normal limit in 80.5% patients. ROC curve analysis revealed that CA 19-9 level of more than 106 U/ml was linked to 2 year survival with 79.3% sensitivity and 74.5% specificity. Preoperative level of CA 19-9 below 106U/ml represents a predictive factor of 2- and 5-year survival, independent of other factors, such as lower size of the tumor, absence of metastases to lymph nodes, female gender of patients. After exclusion of the patients who died in the perioperative period, no relationship could have been disclosed between preoperative CA 19-9 levels and one year survival. The observation points to the chance that patients with higher levels of CA 19-9 harbour micrometastases, the development of which is sufficiently slow to allow for a one-year survival of the patients but which increase the risk of death after two and five years.