Use of Noise Power Spectra (NPS) for quality control in digital radiography

Quality control (QC) guidance documents recommend various tests for evaluation of different parameters of x ray imaging systems’ performance. QC tests can be time consuming, user-dependent and require specialized tools. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the noise power spectrum (NPS) as a QC constancy test which is simple, fast and lends itself easily to automated analysis. Uniform images were acquired under different conditions representing deviations from ideal performance using two digital x-ray systems. The stationarity and ergodicity of the noise was assessed. The normalized NPS (NNPS) were calculated using the methodology of the international electrotechnical commission. The total relative difference was used to quantify the changes in the NNPS. The NNPS was computed for images: with focal spot blooming, collected using large and small focal spot (to mimic resolution change), various tube voltage values, with and without defective pixels, with residual image and with a mismatched anti-scatter grid. Results showed that the NPS method is not sensitive to image lag and focal spot blooming investigated in this study. However, the NPS method was sensitive to changes in resolution introduced by changing the focal spot size, kV deviations as small as 1 kV, defective pixels representing 0.01% of the image pixel and 0.98 MSE difference from the original image, affixed pattern artifacts and a mismatched grid. The NPS was decomposed into its components (fixed pattern, quantum and electronic) to investigate the effect of different performance deviations on the NPS components. The negligibility of the electronic noise was verified. The results showed the fixed pattern changes impacted the fixed pattern NPS component the most and the changes associated with quantum noise affected the quantum component. This thesis suggests the NPS is sensitive to a variety of deviations in system parameters and performance metrics likely to arise in the quality control of digital radiography systems. NPS decomposition can further help identify the source of deviations. The NPS has the potential to be used as a constancy test for routine quality control of DR systems.October 202

Revascularization of an Immature Maxillary First Premolar with Necrotic Tissue: A Case Report

Objectives The purpose of this study was to present a case of regenerative endodontic procedure.Case The maxillary 1st premolar of a 9-year-old patient was diagnosed as necrotic. Since the tooth was immature, we decided to treat this tooth with regenerative endodontic procedure. After disinfection of the canal, bleeding was induced by lacerating the peri-apical tissues and a blood clot was formed. Orifice was sealed by MTA and the tooth was restored. 6-months and 1-year follow-ups showed increased root thickness and closure of the apical.Conclusion It can be concluded that the regenerative endodontic procedure used in this study was successful since there was an evident development in root width

An Investigation into Visual language in PowerPoint Presentations in Applied Linguistics

PowerPoint Knowledge presentation as a digital genre has established itself as one of the main software by which the findings of theses are disseminated in the academic settings. Although the importance of PowerPoint presentations is typically realized in academic settings like lectures, conferences, and seminars, studied to probe the role of visual resiurces in presentations have received little attention. The current study aligns its march towards scrutinizing the anatomy of visual interaction in the PowerPoint defense session presentations prepared by Iranian Master of Arts students majoring in Applied Linguistics. The study aims at describing the identity of visual resources in the PowerPoint presentations by categorizing the utilized visuals within the presentations according to their communicative purposes. To this end, the study analyzes 70 PowerPoint defense session presentations given at various universities across Iran in Applied Linguistics. So as to do analysis, the study draws on the typology of visuals introduced by Rowley-Jolivet for classifying the types of visuals. The results of visual analyzing mirrors the fact PowerPoint defense session presentations in Applied Linguistics visualized themselves more by scriptural visuals to their members of discourse community. The findings, moreover, demand a framework of presentations in Applied Linguistics for more norm-compatible presentations. Keywords: Visuals, PPs, Visual resoutces, Applied Linguistics.

Plasticized and salt-doped single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries

Single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes created by plasticizing LiPSTFSI with PPO and LiTFSI are shown to both improve the ionic conductivity and alter the ion conduction mechanism. This correlates with both local and macroscopic properties, opening for rational design of solid-state, but yet pliable electrolytes

Towards the understanding of the behavior of bio-based nanostructures during in vitro digestion

The encapsulation of bioactive compounds in bio-based nanostructures is considered a hot topic in food technology, due to their huge potential in protecting the valuable bioactive compounds and providing new functionalities (e.g. increase of bioavailability). However, there are still some challenges that must be overcome before this technology can be entirely embraced by food industry, including the optimisation of nanostructures formulations to increase stability and bioactive compounds bioavailability and the risk assessment of their use in food. Therefore, in recent years, efforts are being directed to the evaluation of the in vitro behaviour of nanostructures during digestion/absorption. This evaluation can be challenging, however, there are opportunities to take advantage from the lessons learned from pharmaceutical industry and of the considerable progress in the development of more realistic in vitro models and in situ analysis techniques to more accurately predict the behaviour of bio-based nanostructures once ingested.Ana C. Pinheiro acknowledge the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for her fellowship (SFRH/BPD/101181/2014). This work was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the Project PTDC/AGR-TEC/5215/2014 and of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 — Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. The authors would also like to thank the investment project n° 017931, co-funded by Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) through Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (COMPETE 2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Strategies to Treat Aggression in the View of the Quran and Narrations

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: One of the unpleasant outcomes of today's society is aggression, which can have many reasons behind. The Qur'an perceives anger as an instance of ignorance; on the other hand, its controlling is considered to be one of the features of pious people. The aim of this research is to find the right Quran-narrative solutions to treat aggression given the behaviors that are regarded as aggressive, and need to be dealt with.Method: This research adopts a descriptive-analytic method and, by using the Quran-narrative approach, is looking for ways to treat aggression, namely determining the contributory factors and preventing them, addressing aggression, and also preventing its catastrophic consequences. To collect the data, information centers like the database for the magazines of Iran (Magiran) and Scientific Information Database (SID) were utilized. Moreover, in this study, the ethical issues were all considered and the authors declared no conflict of interest.Results: The results of this study show that in order for the strategies to take effect, it is necessary that all three solutions of cognitive, behavioral and emotional be used together to succeed in treating the aggression to a great extent.Conclusion: From religious viewpoint, the first way to treat aggression is cognitive. This solution which is also called cognitive therapy aims at changing the attitude of the individual, explaining the concept of anger and its effects and consequences, along with changing the view of one's self, the world and others in the light of the orthodox monotheism. Therefore, it will guide individuals and save them from plunging into abyss of anger. As the next step, this helps individuals through emotional and behavioral solutions to become aware of this realization, thus internalizing it.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here

The ways to deal with psychosis in view of Quran and narratives

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Psychosis is a mental illness that causes personality disorders, and is not specific to particular age, but it is possible at all ages in various forms. Given the importance of mental health in the balance of personality, this issue is considered in Islam. So that all acts of worship is scheduled to play the most important role in mental health of humans. The purpose of the present paper is to present the practical methods, to the treatment of psychosis, using religious resources. This study was done in the descriptive and analytical method and in Quran –Narrative view. In addition to say that in the Islamic sources both internal factors such as: Anxiety, loss of identity and … and external factors such as: Poverty and family disputes make this event. Concluded that: Religious texts Offer four aspects for this problem: A) Insight: Through Unity therapy, Resurrection Health and anthropological. B) Naturally: Through health trust, repentance and virtue medical treatment. C) Motivational: dominate the motivations and emotions D) Active: Through: meditation therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and recreational therapyKeywords: Psychosis, Quran, Spiritual healthFor downloading the full-text of this article please click here.