Morphological edge detection and brain tumor segmentation in Magnetic Resonance (MR) images based on region growing and performance evaluation of modified Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The medical image processing has become indispensable with an increased demand for systematic and efficient detection of brain tumor in a short period of time....     

An empirical approach towards characterization of encrypted and unencrypted VoIP traffic

Multimedia Tools and Applications - VoIP traffic classification plays a major role towards network policy enforcements. Characterization of VoIP media traffic is based on codec behaviour. With the...     

Fiber bundle topology optimization of hierarchical microtextures for wetting behavior in Cassie-Baxter mode

Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization - This paper presents the topology optimization of hierarchical microtextures for wetting behavior in the Cassie-Baxter mode, considering a structural...     

Ion-Exchange Interaction of Glass-Forming Silicate Melts with Mixed Chloride Melts

The ion-exchange interaction of the sodium aluminosilicate and sodium galliumsilicate melts with a mixture of molten Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Ba chlorides is studied. It is established that two alkaline silicate melts are characterized by negative deviations from the ideal behavior, and silicate melts containing alkaline and alkaline-earth cations are characterized by noticeable positive deviations from the ideal behavior.     

Drone-Based Autonomous Robot Diagnostic System for Gas and Oil Pipelines in the Arctic and Far North

A drone-based autonomous robot diagnostic system for gas and oil pipelines in the Arctic and Far North has been developed.     

Production and Heat Treatment of Ti6–Al5.5–V–1.8Sn Powder Titanium Alloy

The mechanical properties of Ti6–Al5.5–V–1.8Sn powder titanium alloy are investigated as a function of its structure, which, in turn, depends on its production and heat treatment (quenching and aging).     

Design and optimization of radioisotope sources for betavoltaic batteries

A Monte Carlo source model using PENELOPE was developed to investigate different tritiated metals in order to design a better radioisotope source for betavoltaic batteries. The source model takes into account the self‐absorption of beta particles in the source which is a major factor for an efficient source design. The average beta energy, beta flux, source power output, and source efficiency were estimated for various source thicknesses. The simulated results for titanium tritide with 0° and 90° angular distributions of beta particles were validated with experimental results. The importance of the backscattering effect due to isotropic particle emission was analyzed. The results showed that the normalized average beta energy increases with the source thickness, and it reaches peak energy depending on the density and the specific activity of the source. The beta flux and power output also increase with increasing source thickness. However, the incremental increase in beta flux and power output becomes minimal for higher thicknesses, as the source efficiency decreases significantly at higher thicknesses due to the self‐absorption effect. Thus, a saturation threshold is reached. A low‐density source material such as beryllium tritide provided a higher power output with higher efficiency. A maximum power output of approximately 4 mW/cm³ was obtained for beryllium tritide with SiC. A form factor approach was used to estimate the optimum source thickness. The optimum source thickness was found near the thickness where the peak beta particle average energy occurs.     

Different durations of whole raw soybean supplementation during the prepartum period: Measures of cellular immune function in transition cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate different durations of whole raw soybean (WS) supplementation (diet rich in n-6 fatty acid) during the prepartum period on cellular immune function of dairy cows in the transition period and early lactation. Thirty-one Holstein cows were used in a completely randomized design and assigned to 4 experimental groups (G) [G90, G60, G30, and G0 (control)] supplemented with a diet containing 12% of WS from 90, 60, 30 and 0 d relative to the calving date, respectively. Cows were dried off 60 d before the expected calving date. After parturition, all cows were fed a diet containing 12% of WS until 84 DIM. Blood samples were collected before the morning feeding (d ?56 ± 2, ?28 ± 2, ?14 ± 2, ?7 ± 2, at the day of partum, 7 ± 2, 14 ± 2, 28 ± 2, and 56 ± 2 relative to parturition). Cell phenotyping and phagocytosis assays were carried out using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry technique. Duration of WS supplementation linearly increased the percentage of blood CD3⁺ cells, as well as increased the percentage of blood CD8⁺ cells in the postpartum period, notably in G30, whereas the lowest values were observed in G0. Further, the duration of WS supplementation linearly increased the reactive oxygen species median fluorescence intensity of CH138⁺ cells after phagocytizing Staphylococcus aureus in the postpartum period. Longer periods of WS supplementation linearly increased phagocytosis median fluorescence intensity of CH138⁺ cells in the prepartum period of cows. Duration of WS supplementation linearly increased the percentage of blood CD14⁺ cells producing reactive oxygen species when stimulated either by Staph. aureus or Escherichia coli in the postpartum period. In conclusion, longer periods of WS supplementation during late lactation and the dry period (beginning on d 90 of the expected calving date) alter the leukocyte population and improve neutrophil immune response in the postpartum period with no detrimental effects on cow performance.