Retinal Vessel Extraction Framework Using Modified Adaboost Extreme Learning Machine

An explicit extraction of the retinal vessel is a standout amongst the most significant errands in the field of medical imaging to analyze both the ophthalmological infections, for example, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) as well as non retinal sickness such as stroke, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The state of the retinal vasculature is a significant indicative element in the field of ophthalmology. Retinal vessel extraction in fundus imaging is a difficult task because of varying size vessels, moderately low distinction, and presence of pathologies such as hemorrhages, microaneurysms etc. Manual vessel extraction is a challenging task due to the complicated nature of the retinal vessel structure, which also needs strong skill set and training. In this paper, a supervised technique for blood vessel extraction in retinal images using Modified Adaboost Extreme Learning Machine (MAD-ELM) is proposed. Firstly, the fundus image preprocessing is done for contrast enhancement and in-homogeneity correction. Then, a set of core features is extracted, and the best features are selected using “minimal Redundancy-maximum Relevance (mRmR).” Later, using MAD-ELM method vessels and non vessels are classified. DRIVE and DR-HAGIS datasets are used for the evaluation of the proposed method. The algorithm’s performance is assessed based on accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The proposed technique attains accuracy of 0.9619 on the DRIVE database and 0.9519 on DR-HAGIS database, which contains pathological images. Our results show that, in addition to healthy retinal images, the proposed method performs well in extracting blood vessels from pathological images and is therefore comparable with state of the art methods.     

HA/β-TCP plasma sprayed coatings on Ti substrate for biomedical applications

The present work focuses on the fabrication of βTCP (β-tricalcium phosphate) and HA/βTCP (hydroxyapatite/β-tricalcium phosphate) composite coatings by plasma spraying. The starting powders were produced via solid-state method using 2 wt% MgO to stabilize βTCP phase. The synthesized powders were preliminarily granulated to be used by the plasma spray process. Coatings obtained on titanium substrates are uniform and well adherent but due to the high temperature and cooling rate typical for plasma spraying process, βTCP phase is almost totally transformed into the α allotrope. Thermal treatment at 800 °C allows the reconversion of the phase αTCP→ βTCP. It is therefore possible to produce coatings with tuneable dissolution properties by selecting the proper initial powder mixture and the specific thermal treatment.     

Wave-oriented signal processing of dispersive time-domainscattering data

Phase-space data processing is receiving increased attention because or its potential for furnishing new discriminants relating to classification and identification of targets and other scattering environments. Primary emphasis has been on time-frequency processing because of its impact on transient, especially wideband, short-pulse excitations. Here, we investigate the windowed Fourier transform, the wavelet transform, and model based superresolution algorithms within the context of a fully quantified and calibrated test problem investigated by us previously: two-dimensional (2-D) short-pulse plane wave scattering by a finite periodic array of perfectly conducting coplanar flat strips. Because the forward problem has been fully calibrated and parametrized, some quantitative measures can be assigned with respect to the tradeoffs of these time-frequency algorithms, yielding tentative performance assessments of the tested processing algorithms     

Public Attitudes to In-House Water Recycling in England and Wales

This study, which is based on responses from over 300 individuals in England and Wales, explores how a willingness to use a water-recycling system of specific configuration varies against a number of factors which are linked to system design, system scale, system context, and water-conservation behaviour. Findings show that there is broad willingness to accept in-house water recycling provided that public health is not compromised.     

Water-Quality Monitoring in Anguilla

Anguilla is a UK overseas (non-independent) territory in the Caribbean. It is a small middle-income island with a population of 13 000, and recent statistics indicate that it is more dependent on tourism than any other country or territory in the world. Rapid population growth and development have placed more emphasis on the need for human health and environmental protection. For the first time, a systematic water-quality monitoring programme has been developed, based on the realities of the local situation, e.g. low resource base, limited capabilities, dependence on household rainwater catchment, storage cisterns, and a poor water-supply network. Development of the programme incorporated the key themes of pragmatic, realistic, incremental, responsive, and consultative approaches.     

The lost-wax casting of icons, utensils, bells, and other items in South India

Indian artisans and craftsmen have long been masters at extracting and shaping metals and alloys, as proven by archaeological finds from the 2nd—3rd millennia B.C. For example, two well-known artifacts, castings of the dancing girl of Mohenjo Daro and the Mother Goddess of Adichanallur, Tamilnadu, depict a high degree of metallurgical knowledge. Those castings were formed by the lost wax process, which later was modified and became known as investment casting. In various parts of India, this age-old casting process is still being practiced, without any major modifications. This paper discusses details of the process used by the Indian artisans of Swamimalai, Tamilnadu, and Mannar, Kerala, South India in shaping copper-base alloys into icons and utensils, bells, and lamps.     

The effect of mischmetal addition on the structure and mechanical properties of a cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy containing excess iron (up to 0.6 Pct)

The effect of Fe content (0.2 to 0.6 pct) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg (LM 25/356) alloy has been investigated. Further, 1 pct mischmetal (MM) additions (a mixture of rare-earth (RE) elements) were made to these alloys, and their mechanical properties at room and at elevated temperatures (up to 200 °C) were evaluated. A structure-property correlation on this alloy was attempted using optical microstructure analysis, fractographs, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDX), and quantitative metallography by image analysis. An increase in Fe content increased the volume percentage of Fe-bearing intermetallic compounds (β and π phases), contributing to the loweryield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), percentage elongation, and higher hardness. An addition of 1 pct MM to the alloys containing 0.2 and 0.6 pct Fe was found to refine the microstructure; modify the eutectic silicon and La, Ce, and Nd present in the MM; form different intermetallic compounds with Al, Si, Fe, and Mg; and improve the mechanical properties of the alloys both at room and elevated temperatures.     

A prolog based expert system for the allocation of quality assurance program resources

The worldwide proliferation of fraudulent materials has brought about the need for a new approach to the control of purchased material quality. Nuclear power, defense, aerospace and many other industries are affected by the supply of poor quality clones that presume to be original replacement parts. Safety considerations abound as these highly defective materials are used in systems that are critical to the preservation of human lives. Commonly utilized quality assurance programs have not effectively stopped the influx of fraudulent materials. These programs fail to concentrate inspection efforts on materials and inspection attributes that would effectively prevent the acceptance of fraudulent materials. herein a solution is presented to this problem in the form of an expert system application. Information commonly available in industry is formulated into a knowledge based system wherein advisories are given to the user regarding key purchased material receipt inspection strategies.     

Mapping Turbidity, Surface Temperature and Water Circulation Patterns with the Aid of Satellite Imagery

Water turbidity, surface temperature and circulation of Barton and Wroxham Broads, two of the Norfolk Broads, were studied using one reflective (TM1) and the thermal (TM6) TM band. The results indicated that the through-flowing path of the River Ant in Barton Broad is the major influence on the distribution of these parameters. In Wroxham Broad, both turbidity and surface temperature displayed a uniform distribution. This could be explained by the absence of a predominant direction of flow.