scholarly journals PRF Selection in Formation-Flying SAR: Experimental Verification on Sentinel-1 Monostatic Repeat-Pass Data

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Daniela Graziano ◽  
Alfredo Renga ◽  
Marco Grasso ◽  
Antonio Moccia
Keyword(s):  
Uniform Distribution ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Formation Flying ◽  
Pulse Repetition Frequency ◽  
Signal Ratio ◽  
Digital Beamforming ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Sar Processing

Formation-flying synthetic aperture radar (FF-SAR) enables new working modes and can achieve very high performance through a series of very compact, low-weight, satellite platforms thanks to passive operations of conveniently distributed formation-flying receivers. System timing is a crucial aspect of FF-SAR. The manuscript presents a novel approach to pulse repetition frequency (PRF) selection in order to obtain a uniform distribution of samples at given platform positions. A digital beamforming algorithm is applied on a stack of monostatic repeat-pass images collected by the Sentinel-1 system to test the validity of the PRF selection method. Processed images were thus properly selected to achieve the best merit index measuring the quality of samples distribution. The results show that: (a) the image resulting from beamforming features better azimuth ambiguity-to-signal ratio and (b) the proposed approach for PRF selection allows one to individuate a subset of the available images leading to uniform distribution of samples which can be used to support FF-SAR processing.

scholarly journals High-performance cellulosic filament fibers prepared via dry-jet wet spinning from ionic liquids

Cellulose ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc P. Vocht ◽  
Ronald Beyer ◽  
Patricija Thomasic ◽  
Alexandra Müller ◽  
Antje Ota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Degree Of Polymerization ◽  
Alkali Resistance ◽  
Wet Spinning ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cellulosic Fibers ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
First Time

AbstractWe report on a new process for the spinning of high-performance cellulosic fibers. For the first time, cellulose has been dissolved in the ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium octanoate ([C2C1im][Oc]) via a thin film evaporator in a continuous process. Compared to other ILs, [C2C1im][Oc] shows no signs of hydrolysis with water. For dope preparation the degree of polymerization of the pulp was adjusted by electron beam irradiation and determined by viscosimetry. In addition, the quality of the pulp was evaluated by means of alkali resistance. Endless filament fibers have been spun using dry-jet wet spinning and an extruder instead of a spinning pump, which significantly increases productivity. By this approach, more than 1000 m of continuous multifilament fibers have been spun. The novel approach allows for preparing cellulose fibers with high Young's modulus (33 GPa) and unprecedented high tensile strengths up to 45 cN/tex. The high performance of the obtained fibers provides a promising outlook for their application as replacement material for rayon-based tire cord fibers.

scholarly journals A novel approach based on segmentation for securing medical image processing over cloud

2018 ◽  
Vol Special Issue on Scientific... ◽  
Author(s):  
Mbarek Marwan ◽  
Ali Kartit ◽  
Hassan Ouahmane
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Medical Image ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Medical Image Processing ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Medical Providers ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Segmentation Approach ◽  
International Audience

International audience Healthcare professionals require advanced image processing software to enhance the quality of clinical decisions. However, any investment in sophisticated local applications would dramatically increase healthcare costs. To address this issue, medical providers are interested in adopting cloud technology. In spite of its multiple advantages, outsourcing computations to an external provider arises several challenges. In fact, security is the major factor hindering the widespread acceptance of this new concept. Recently, various solutions have been suggested to fulfill healthcare demands. Though, ensuring privacy and high performance needs more improvements to meet the healthcare sector requirements. To this end, we propose a framework based on segmentation approach to secure cloud-based medical image processing in the healthcare system.

A Novel Approach: Trans-ascending Aorta Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty via Sternotomy for Treating Severe Valvular Aortic Stenosis in a Low-Weight Infant

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Gao ◽  
Qin Wu ◽  
Xinhua Xu ◽  
Tianli Zhao ◽  
Wancun Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Stenosis ◽  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Severe Aortic Stenosis ◽  
Ascending Aorta ◽  
Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty ◽  
Congenital Aortic Stenosis ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Aortic Valvuloplasty ◽  
Peak Gradient

<p><b>Background:</b> Severe congenital aortic stenosis in infants is a life-threatening congenital heart anomaly that is typically treated using percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> The usual route is the femoral artery under radiographic guidance. However, this procedure may be limited by the small size of the femoral artery in low-weight infants. An infant weighing only 7 kg with severe aortic stenosis (peak gradient was 103 mmHg) was successfully treated with a novel approach, that is trans-ascending aorta balloon aortic valvuloplasty guided by transesophageal echocardiography.</p><p><b>Results:</b> The patient tolerated the procedure well, and no major complications developed. After the intervention, transesophageal echocardiography indicated a significant reduction of the aortic valvular peak gradient from 103 mmHg to 22 mmHg, no aortic regurgitation was found. Eighteen months after the intervention, echocardiography revealed that the aortic valvular peak gradient had increased to 38 mmHg and that still no aortic regurgitation had occurred.</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> In our limited experience, trans-ascending aorta balloon aortic valvuloplasty for severe aortic stenosis under transesophageal echocardiography guidance effectively reduces the aortic peak gradient. As this is a new procedure, long-term follow up and management will need to be established. It may be an alternative technique to treat congenital aortic stenosis in low-weight patients.</p>

THE EFFECT OF PROCESSING METHODS ON THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF AFRICAN BREADFRUITS (TRECULIA AFRICANA) SEEDS

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Nwozo Sarah Onyenibe ◽  
Julius Oluwaseun Oluwafunmilola ◽  
Stanley Udogadi Nwawuba
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Composition ◽  
Acid Composition ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
Mineral Contents ◽  
Processing Methods ◽  
African Breadfruit

The extracted seeds of African breadfruit are identified to be extremely healthy whenever it is correctly processed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of processing methods on the nutritional quality of African breadfruit seed. A qualitative phytochemical analysis including: Alkaloid, Flavonoid, Saponin, Tannin, Anthraquinone, Terpenoids, Steroid, and Cardiac Glycosides for the different fraction of African breadfruit seed was performed using a standard method. The result revealed the presence and greater amount of phytochemical for the raw fraction; seven in eight, six in eight for steamed fraction, and four in eight for boiled and roasted respectively. Anti-nutrient, Proximate, and Mineral Content were also conducted using standard methods. The amino acid composition was determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results of the present study revealed that anti-nutrients including Phytate, Tannins, and Oxalate were significantly p<0.05 reduced in the boiled fraction 5.47±0.15, 3.42±0.02 and 6.89±0.05, and highest in the raw fraction 7.77±0.01, 5.09±0.03 and 9.34±0.14. The proximate composition including; percentage crude fat, Ash, Carbohydrate, Fatty acid, and Energy value were significantly lower p<0.05 in the boiled fraction relative to the other fractions. Mineral contents; calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus were also significantly p<0.05 elevated in the boiled fraction relative to the raw, steamed, and roasted fraction. The amino acid composition was highest in the roasted and boiled fraction 57.350 and 56.978, and lowest in the steamed and raw fraction 35.754 and 28.748 respectively. Therefore, boiling (cooking) is encouraged for the preparation of African breadfruit seed.

scholarly journals One Song, Many Voices: Dementia and The Power of Music

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 775-775
Author(s):  
Debra Sheets ◽  
Stuart MacDonald ◽  
Andre Smith
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Social Connection ◽  
School Students ◽  
Choral Singing ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Care Partners

Abstract Choral singing is a novel approach to reduce dementia stigma and social isolation while offering participants a sense of purpose, joy and social connection. The pervasiveness of stigma surrounding dementia remains one of the biggest barriers to living life with dignity following a diagnosis (Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2018). This paper examines how a social inclusion model of dementia care involving an intergenerational choir for people living with dementia, their care partners and high school students can reduce stigma and foster social connections. Multiple methodologies are used to investigate the effects of choir participation on cognition, stress levels, social connections, stigma, and quality of life. Results demonstrate the positive impact of choir participation and indicate that this socially inclusive intervention offers an effective, non-pharmacological alternative for older adults living with dementia in the community. Discussion focuses on the importance of instituting meaningful and engaging dementia-friendly activities at the community level.

scholarly journals Human emotion modeling (HEM): an interface for IoT systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed R. Elkobaisi ◽  
Fadi Al Machot
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Modeling Language ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Human Emotion ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Domain Specific Modeling ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Human Support

AbstractThe use of IoT-based Emotion Recognition (ER) systems is in increasing demand in many domains such as active and assisted living (AAL), health care and industry. Combining the emotion and the context in a unified system could enhance the human support scope, but it is currently a challenging task due to the lack of a common interface that is capable to provide such a combination. In this sense, we aim at providing a novel approach based on a modeling language that can be used even by care-givers or non-experts to model human emotion w.r.t. context for human support services. The proposed modeling approach is based on Domain-Specific Modeling Language (DSML) which helps to integrate different IoT data sources in AAL environment. Consequently, it provides a conceptual support level related to the current emotional states of the observed subject. For the evaluation, we show the evaluation of the well-validated System Usability Score (SUS) to prove that the proposed modeling language achieves high performance in terms of usability and learn-ability metrics. Furthermore, we evaluate the performance at runtime of the model instantiation by measuring the execution time using well-known IoT services.

scholarly journals Tracking by Deblatting

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denys Rozumnyi ◽  
Jan Kotera ◽  
Filip Šroubek ◽  
Jiří Matas
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Motion Blur ◽  
Velocity Estimation ◽  
High Speed Camera ◽  
Trajectory Function ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Blind Deblurring ◽  
Object Trajectories ◽  
Complex Trajectories

AbstractObjects moving at high speed along complex trajectories often appear in videos, especially videos of sports. Such objects travel a considerable distance during exposure time of a single frame, and therefore, their position in the frame is not well defined. They appear as semi-transparent streaks due to the motion blur and cannot be reliably tracked by general trackers. We propose a novel approach called Tracking by Deblatting based on the observation that motion blur is directly related to the intra-frame trajectory of an object. Blur is estimated by solving two intertwined inverse problems, blind deblurring and image matting, which we call deblatting. By postprocessing, non-causal Tracking by Deblatting estimates continuous, complete, and accurate object trajectories for the whole sequence. Tracked objects are precisely localized with higher temporal resolution than by conventional trackers. Energy minimization by dynamic programming is used to detect abrupt changes of motion, called bounces. High-order polynomials are then fitted to smooth trajectory segments between bounces. The output is a continuous trajectory function that assigns location for every real-valued time stamp from zero to the number of frames. The proposed algorithm was evaluated on a newly created dataset of videos from a high-speed camera using a novel Trajectory-IoU metric that generalizes the traditional Intersection over Union and measures the accuracy of the intra-frame trajectory. The proposed method outperforms the baselines both in recall and trajectory accuracy. Additionally, we show that from the trajectory function precise physical calculations are possible, such as radius, gravity, and sub-frame object velocity. Velocity estimation is compared to the high-speed camera measurements and radars. Results show high performance of the proposed method in terms of Trajectory-IoU, recall, and velocity estimation.

scholarly journals Development and application of a spectrophotometric method in quality evaluation of benzimidazole anthelminthics in Nairobi city county

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnson K. Murage ◽  
Beatrice K. Amugune ◽  
Peter Njogu ◽  
Stanley Ndwigah
Keyword(s):  
Spectrophotometric Method ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
Good Precision ◽  
Market Surveillance

Abstract Background Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of communicable diseases which are prevalent in the tropics affecting more than one billion people. Treatment and prevention of these infections is very costly to developing economies. Helminthiases are classified among NTDs. The communities afflicted are poor and have limited access to essential resources for their livelihood. Poor-quality drugs for NTDs may lead to death or prolonged treatment without achieving the desired results. The limited resources used in purchasing poor-quality drugs will therefore be wasted instead of being put to good use. Most of the methods available for the analysis of benzimidazole anthelminthics utilize high-performance liquid chromatography. They are therefore time consuming, require sophisticated and expensive equipment, utilize rare and expensive reagents and solvents, and call for skilled personnel. A simple, rapid, and inexpensive ultraviolet spectrophotometric method of analysis would therefore come in handy especially in the analysis of many samples as occurs during post-authorization market surveillance for quality. Results The suitable solvent for the spectroscopic analysis was established as 0.1 M methanolic HCl. The wavelength of analysis was set at 294 nm. Upon validation, the method was found to have good linearity. The range over which linearity was established was way beyond the 80 to 120% of the working concentration specified by the ICH. The method exhibited good precision. Out of 32 commercial samples analyzed, five (15.6%) did not comply with compendial specifications. Intra-brand batch variation was also observed. Out of three batches of product A002T analyzed, one did not comply with compendial specifications. Conclusion A major limitation in the analysis of benzimidazole anthelminthics is the lack of reliable, simple, rapid, and low-cost methods of analysis with high throughput. The developed method serves to fill this gap. It can be used in the analysis of raw materials and finished products. It can also be used in the establishment of the quality of products prior to registration. The method will prove very useful in post-market surveillance of quality of benzimidazole anthelminthics.

Robust Environmental Sensing Using UAVs

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Ahmed Boubrima ◽  
Edward W. Knightly
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Gas Sensors ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Mission Planning ◽  
Pollution Monitoring ◽  
Compound Pollution ◽  
Planning Algorithm

In this article, we first investigate the quality of aerial air pollution measurements and characterize the main error sources of drone-mounted gas sensors. To that end, we build ASTRO+, an aerial-ground pollution monitoring platform, and use it to collect a comprehensive dataset of both aerial and reference air pollution measurements. We show that the dynamic airflow caused by drones affects temperature and humidity levels of the ambient air, which then affect the measurement quality of gas sensors. Then, in the second part of this article, we leverage the effects of weather conditions on pollution measurements’ quality in order to design an unmanned aerial vehicle mission planning algorithm that adapts the trajectory of the drones while taking into account the quality of aerial measurements. We evaluate our mission planning approach based on a Volatile Organic Compound pollution dataset and show a high-performance improvement that is maintained even when pollution dynamics are high.

scholarly journals A Novel Approach for Comparison of Reception Performance in a Technique Test and Small-Sided Games

Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Arne Sørensen ◽  
Vidar Sørensen ◽  
Terje Dalen
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Novel Approach

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between soccer players’ performance of receptions of passes in tests of both isolated technical skills and more match-realistic situations in small-sided games (SSGs). In addition, this study investigated whether the involvement in SSGs (number of receptions) correlated with the quality of receptions in the respective SSGs. The participants were 13 male outfield youth soccer players from teams in the first division of the regional U18 league. The quality of receptions was scored by educated coaches according to set criteria of performance. Statistical analyses of correlations were determined using Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient (rs). The main results were (1) a significant correlation in the quality of ball reception between 4vs1 SSGs and 5vs5 SSGs (rs = −0.61, p < 0.01) and (2) a trend towards moderate correlation between the quality of ball reception using a ball projection machine and 5vs5 SSGs (rs = −0.48, p = 0.10). (3) A significant correlation was found between the number of receptions in 5vs5 SSGs and the quality score of receptions in 5vs5 SSGs (rs = −0.70, p < 0.01). The trend towards moderate correlations between 5vs5 SSGs and the isolated technical reception test could imply the importance of training in the technical aspects of ball reception. Moreover, it seems as though the players with the best reception performance are the players who are most involved in SSGs, that is, having the most receptions.

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