Diagnosis of disc bulge and disc desiccation in lumbar MRI using concatenated shape and texture features with random forest classifier

Disc bulge and disc desiccation are the most common abnormalities occurring in the spine, which leads to severe low back pain. Despite computer-aided automatic abnormality diagnostic imaging systems are available still there is a need for betterment in diagnostic accuracy and in processing time. Image processing with combined imaging features like shape and texture has given better diagnostic ability when compared with processing with individual features. In the present study, the desiccated and bulged Intervertebral Discs (IVDs) are diagnosed automatically by combining shape features extracted using Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) and texture feature extracted using novel Local Sub-Rhombus Binary Relation Pattern (LS-RBRP) techniques with Random Forest (RF) classifier. The performance analysis projects that the RF with HOG+LS-RBRP has an overall better accuracy of 94.7% when compared with HOG (87%) and LS-RBRP (90.2%) with RF classifier separately in categorizing the normal IVD, disc bulge and disc desiccation in the lumbar spine MRI.     

A comparative study of gamma radiation effects on ultra-low input bias current linear circuits under biased conditions

Ultra-low input bias current linear circuits are used in several applications requiring them to work under varying conditions of temperature, humidity, radiation etc. which influence their performance. This paper presents a first time study of gamma radiation effects on ultra low input bias current linear circuits under biased conditions for small signal dc applications. Under biased conditions, radiation-induced photo currents play a significant role. A noncatastrophic radiation leakage environment has been considered. The linear circuits selected are of different makes and have different input stages, such as those based on JFET and MOS structures. Variations of dc characteristic parameters, such as input offset voltage and input bias current have been studied. Extensive experimental results are presented, including the effects of annealing, on critical parameters. It is seen that these devices behave differently on exposure to gamma radiation, depending on the structure of their input stage. The MOSFET-based stages show a greater change in input offset voltage, whereas FET-based input stages exhibit a greater change in input bias currents. Chopper stabilised linear circuits exhibit lesser deviation in their offset voltages and bias currents due to an inherent chopping action at their input stage that automatically compensates for any variations in these parameters.     

Prediction of the performance of an ion chamber amplifier under γ radiation

The ion chamber amplifier (ICA) plays a major role in the proper functioning of a nuclear reactor as it monitors the radiations from the nuclear reactor by measuring the ionic activity inside the ion chamber. The signal conditioning circuitry of the ICA detects and conditions the weak ionic currents coming from the ion chamber dome. Degradation in the performance of the semiconductor devices used in this part of the ICA, can lead to inaccurate monitoring of the reactor operation, resulting in a possible catastrophe due to malfunction. Further, the response of the ICA under irradiation also depends upon the strength of the input signal (ionic) current it is required to handle. The active devices used in the ICA under study are operational amplifiers (Op-Amps) such as DN8500A and OPA111, instrumentation amplifier INA101, transistor 2N2920A and a voltage reference device, AD584. Since these devices may be sensitive to radiation, one must know their radiation behaviour so that the performance of the ICA can be predicted. This paper examines the performance of the ICA by characterising the radiation profiles of its vital components, viz. the Op-Amps, instrumentation amplifiers, transistors, etc. by monitoring their parametric changes on-line, i.e. when the source is on, and the devices are biased. The simulation runs involve the simulation of the entire ICA circuitry using the changed values of the vital parameters such as input bias current and input offset voltage. The main advantage of this method is that it obviates irradiating the whole ICA circuit to study its irradiation performance, and simulates an environment of radiation leakage around the ICA. Based on this study, results are presented to predict the performance of the ICA.     

Design of a novel compact modified‐circular printed antenna for high data rate wireless sensor networks

This paper presents a novel compact circular patch Ultrawideband (UWB) antenna for sensor node applications. The microstrip‐fed low‐profile antenna comprises an elliptical ring slot, two crescent‐shaped slots and two dumbbell‐shaped slots in feedline. The antenna miniaturization is achieved by a novel combination of an elliptical ring slot, two crescent‐shaped slots in circular patch. The proposed prototype has been fabricated on inexpensive FR4 substrate and the relative permittivity is (ε_r = 4.3) with 1.6 mm thickness. The overall size of the proposed miniaturized antenna is about (0.1 λ_r × 0.15 λ_r), where λ_r is the resonating wavelength of the lowest UWB frequency (ie, 3.1 GHz). The measured radiation performances of the proposed antenna are nearly an omnidirectional pattern in H‐plane and bidirectional pattern in E‐plane for all the frequencies in the whole UWB band. The development process of the antenna, radiation properties and group delay is completely analyzed and discussed.     

Surface properties of electrodeposited a-Si:C:H:F thin films by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Surface properties of amorphous silicon thin films containing hydrogen, flourine and carbon obtained from hydrofluosilicic acid and ethylene glycol using the electrodeposition method are reported as a function of current density and deposition time. The Si2p core level X-ray photoelectron spectra exhibited binding-energy shifts corresponding to SiFx (x=1–4), SiC, Si-H and Si-O2 type bond formations. The shifts in 1s spectra of fluorine, carbon and oxygen confirmed the presence of fluorine, carbon and oxygen in bonded form. Theoretical binding-energy shifts calculated from Pauling's electronegativity values were in close agreement with the measured values. The relative concentration values of C/Si estimated in these films were found to be larger than those of F/Si and O/Si. The results were corroborated with infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy data. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Vibrational modes in electrodeposited amorphous silicon: FT-IR analysis

Infrared spectra of 13 samples of amorphous silicon bonded with hydrogen, fluorine and carbon, prepared by electrodeposition using a mixture of ethylene glycol and fluosilicic acid were analysed in the wave number region 4000-400 cm^–1 with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Strong absorption peaks were observed at 1000 cm^–1 due to the SiF_x stretching mode. Small peaks were seen around 2300 and 640 cm^–1 due to SiH stretching and wagging modes of absorption. The number of bonded hydrogen atoms in the film deposited at 0.05 M, 50 mA cm^–2 was calculated to be 6.2579×10²¹ and 1.2302×10²⁰ atm cm^–3 using integrated absorption of the CH and SiH stretching modes, respectively. The absorption coefficient around the SiF_x stretch region was found to vary from 1300–2500 cm^–1 as the molarity of the electrolyte was increased. Binding energy shifts in X-ray photoelectron spectrum were used as a cross check to confirm the silicon bonding with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and fluorine atoms. The absence of columnar growth in SEM photographs indicates no polysilane formation in the films.     

A critical review on biodegradable food packaging for meat: Materials,sustainability, regulations,and perspectives in the EU

The development of biodegradable packaging is a challenge, as conventional plastics have many advantages in terms of high flexibility, transparency, low cost, strong mechanical characteristics, and high resistance to heat compared with most biodegradable plastics. The quality of biodegradable materials and the research needed for their improvement for meat packaging were critically evaluated in this study. In terms of sustainability, biodegradable packagings are more sustainable than conventional plastics; however, most of them contain unsustainable chemical additives. Cellulose showed a high potential for meat preservation due to high moisture control. Polyhydroxyalkanoates and polylactic acid (PLA) are renewable materials that have been recently introduced to the market, but their application in meat products is still limited. To be classified as an edible film, the mechanical properties and acceptable control over gas and moisture exchange need to be improved. PLA and cellulose-based films possess the advantage of protection against oxygen and water permeation; however, the addition of functional substances plays an important role in their effects on the foods. Furthermore, the use of packaging materials is increasing due to consumer demand for natural high-quality food packaging that serves functions such as extended shelf-life and contamination protection. To support the importance moving toward biodegradable packaging for meat, this review presented novel perspectives regarding ecological impacts, commercial status, and consumer perspectives. Those aspects are then evaluated with the specific consideration of regulations and perspective in the European Union (EU) for employing renewable and ecological meat packaging materials. This review also helps to highlight the situation regarding biodegradable food packaging for meat in the EU specifically.