Super Resolution of Magnetic Resonance Images

In this work, novel denoising and super resolution (SR) approaches for magnetic resonance (MR) images are addressed, and are integrated in a unified framework, which do not require example low resolution (LR)/high resolution (HR)/cross-modality/noise-free images and prior information of noise–noise variance. The proposed method categorizes the patches as either smooth or textured and then denoises them by deploying different denoising strategies for efficient denoising. The denoising algorithm is integrated into the SR approach, which uses a gradient profile-based constraint in a sparse representation-based framework to improve the resolution of MR images with reduced smearing of image details. This constraint regularizes the estimation of HR images such that the estimated HR image has gradient profiles similar to the gradient profiles of the original HR image. For this, the gradient profile sharpness (GPS) values of an unknown HR image are estimated using an approximated piece-wise linear relation among GPS values of LR and upsampled LR images. The experiments are performed on three different publicly available datasets. The proposed SR approach outperforms the existing unsupervised SR approach addressed for real MR images that exploits low rank and total variation (LRTV) regularization, by an average peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) of 0.73 dB and 0.38 dB for upsampling factors 2 and 3, respectively. For the super resolution of noisy real MR images (degraded with 2% noise), the proposed approach outperforms the LRTV approach by an average PSNR of 0.54 dB and 0.46 dB for upsampling factors 2 and 3, respectively. The qualitative analysis is shown for real MR images from healthy subjects and subjects with Alzheimer’s disease and structural deformity, i.e., cavernoma.

Process optimization with acid functionalised activated carbon derived from corncob for production of 4-hydroxymethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane and 5-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane

In this article, a two-step activated carbon preparation technique from corncob has been elucidated. The derived catalysts AAC-CC has been characterized using various techniques for the determination of their structural properties and compared with AC-CC, already reported with another article. The conjugated boat structure of AAC-CC resulted in a very high surface area (779.8 m2/g) and high pore volume (0.428 cc/g). This unveils the suitability of AAC-CC as better among the two catalytic pathways for solketal production. The activated carbons so prepared have been used for the valorization of glycerol to produce 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol (solketal), oxygenated additives to fuel. The face-centered composite design (FCCD) of RSM was applied for the optimization of the reaction parameters for the ketalisation reaction using AAC-CC as a catalyst. From the optimized results, the acidic catalyst AAC-CC resulted in a glycerol conversion, i.e. 80.3% under the actual laboratory experiment. Moreover, the catalyst could be reused for three consecutive batch reactions without (< 5%) much reduction of activity and no distinctive structural deformity.

Prevalence of Scoliosis in Cerebral Palsy

Background: Significant structural deformity of the spine often accompanies cerebral palsy. Progression of curve will eventually lead to pain, loss of ambulation, sitting balance. The aetiology of scoliosis in CP has yet to be well defined. Objective: The objective of this study was to find incidence of scoliosis in different sub-types of cerebral palsy. Method: A total population of 30 children with cerebral palsy aged 5 to 20 years followed with examination and assessment for scoliosis in a health care setting was analysed. GMFCS level, CP subtype, age at diagnosis, gender dominance of the condition were correlates registered. Effect of 5 factors on progression of the curve and type of scoliosis dominant in cerebral palsy was studied. Results: Of the 30 subjects initially enrolled in the study, 19 of them with scoliosis in which incidence of 28% was found among spastic quadriplegia followed by 24% in diplegia. The risk of scoliosis increased with GMFCS level and age. 22% of children showed moderate scoliosis with respect to scoliosis appearance questionnaire. Conclusions: Scoliosis was most common in the spastic group with the highest incidence in the spastic quadriplegics. There was a definite inverse relationship between the level of ambulation and scoliosis: the higher the level of ambulation the lower the incidence of scoliosis. Moderate scoliosis was found because progression of curve is expected to continue until skeletal maturity.

Process Optimization with Acid Functionalised Activated Carbon derived from Corncob for Production of 4-Hydroxymethyl-2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-Dioxolane and5-Hydroxy-2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-Dioxane

This study focuses on the application of the corncob derived base (NaOH) activated and acid (H2SO4) functionalized carbons for the glycerol valorization to produce 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol (solketal), an oxygenated additive to fuel. The two derived catalysts viz., AAC-CC and AC-CC were subjected to various techniques for the determination of their structural properties and their comparison is made on the basis of characteristics and conversion into the final product. The conjugated boat structure of AAC-CC resulted very high surface area (779.8 m2/g) and higher pore volume (0.428cc/g) of AAC-CC that unveil its suitability as better among the two catalytic pathways during the solketal production. The acidic catalyst shows the highest catalytic activity as compared to basic due to the availability of the more active sites to the catalyst that will help in the reaction for higher conversion. The face cantered composite design (FCCD) of RSM was applied for the optimization of the reaction parameters for the ketalisation reaction. From the optimized results, the acidic catalyst AAC-CC gives higher glycerol conversion, i.e. 80.3% than the basic catalyst AC-CC i.e. 72.12% under the actual laboratory experiment. Moreover, the catalyst could be reused for three consecutive batch reactions without (< 5%) much reduction of activity and no distinctive structural deformity.

Identifying Type III Sulcus: Patient Characteristics and Endoscopic Findings

Objective Type III sulcus is a pathologic structural deformity of the vocal folds that is challenging to accurately diagnose without endoscopic examination under anesthesia. This study aims to further define the clinical presentation and examination features shared among a patient cohort intraoperatively diagnosed with type III sulcus. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary laryngology practice. Subjects and Methods All patients diagnosed intraoperatively with type III sulcus from 2002 to 2014 at a tertiary laryngology practice were included. Clinical history of presenting symptoms, videostroboscopy, and intraoperative and histologic findings were reviewed. Results Twenty-two patients were included in the study. A majority were female (77%) and had a mean age of 32.4 years. All patients endorsed hoarseness, and 86% were defined as professional voice users. Endoscopic examination revealed bilateral type III sulcus in 23% of patients. The most common preoperative stroboscopic findings included decreased mucosal wave (100%), dilated vessel (95%), phase asymmetry (91%), additional benign lesion (91%), and cyst (82%). Histology revealed epithelial changes of atypia and keratosis. Conclusion Both the severity of dysphonia and the difficulty observing structural malformations of the vocal folds make type III sulcus challenging to preoperatively diagnose. This study reports the clinical and endoscopic features seen within a cohort of patients with type III sulcus.

Study of Twak Shareer w.s.r to Kitibha Kustha

Ayurveda describe the organization of the body in term of Doshas, Dhatus and Malas. Twacha is one among the Upadhatus which provide protective layer over the body that protect from the heat, cold and external infection. The union of Shukra (spermatozoa) and Shonita (ovum) while being cooked (processed by heat) give rise to the formation of seven Twak (skin) just like formation of cream when milk is boiled. Acharya Sushrut and other Acharyas are described Twak Shareeram in detail. Acharya Sushrut defined Twacha as Upadhatu of Mamsadhatu. Twacha is one among the Panchjyanendriya, which carry sensation of touch and it covers external part as well as internal part of body. “Kitibha” is one among the type of Ksudrakustha which is common and chronic disorder of Twacha. Acharyas describe symptoms of Kitibha like - red, with dry and silvery white scale which may be obvious only after scrapping the surface, skin is not sweating, resemble the scale of fish, producing sound (while scratching) rough, itching course and black in colour. So it becomes essential to know the structural and anatomical changes occur in the Kitibha. Now a days Kitibha disease largely spread in the human being. While diagnosing the patients of Kitibha Kustha, there is difficulty regarding the identification of structural deformity, hence need is felt to study the Kitibha and Twak Sharira.

A CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF SELECTED TREATMENT MODALITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VATA KANTAKA

Walking in irregular or uneven ground, Structural deformity of foot, Excessive strain on heels etc lead to vitiation of Vata dosha. Aggravated Vata is lodged in ankle joint, especially in dependent parts like heel and hence the pain is caused due to reduced strength of muscles and joints. ‘Kantaka’ refers to thorn. The pricking pain felt due to vitiated Vata is termed as Vata kantaka. This condition is usually seen in the case with calcaneus spur. Symptoms are Pain in heel and surrounding region. Pain is more evident soon after waking up in the morning and if the patient stands up, After a long rest and Increase in heel pain on standing for long time, running and walking. According to previous researches Planter heel pain is the most prevalent complaint to presenting foot and ankle specialists and may be seen in upwards of 11 % to 15% of adults. So it is the need of hour to focus effective practices which yields good results. In the present study thirty patients were selected and treated with Pinda Thaila Abyanga, Rasnadi sweda followed by application of Hinguadi lepa mentioned in Traditional medicine in Sri Lanka, daily for one month. The assessment was carried out on the basis of relief found in the cardinal signs and symptoms of the disease adopting scoring, depending upon their severity. Significant reduction in pain was seen at the end of the study with P value of < 0.05. Also there was reduction in other symptoms such as cracks, pruritus, burning sensation and laxity of skin over the foot .There were no adverse effects reported during the study. Therefore it can be concluded that the selected treatment modality is beneficial in managing Vata kantaka.