Gray Level Homogeneity Analysis: A Novel Approach

In this article, we propose a method that helps us to analyze the homogeneity of gray levels locally by calculating a coefficient for each pixel based on the nature of neighboring pixels. This principle of encoding pixels according to their adjacent neighbors is described the nature of the distribution of gray levels within the image and measures their degree of homogeneity locally. This allows us to detect the different regions of the image and their contours based on the coefficient of homogeneity of the gray levels. In addition, this allows us to exploit these homogeneity coefficients to restructure regions of the image, extract and enhance the image contours while reducing the noise present in the image. This homogeneity study principle has several functions in the study and analysis of image texture, as do other methods of homogeneity assessment, such as the local contrast descriptor (LCD) and the co-occurrence matri

Modified spiht algorithm for quincunx wavelet image coding

In this paper, an image compression method based on the Quincunx algorithm coupled with the modified SPIHT encoder (called SPIHT-Z) is presented. The SPIHT-Z encoder (coupled with quincunx transform) provides better compression results compared with two other algorithms: conventional wavelet and quincunx both coupled with the SPIHT encoder. The obtained results, using the algorithm that applies (Quincunx with SPIHT-Z) are evaluated by image quality evaluation parameters (PSNR, MSSIM, and VIF). The compression results on twenty test images showed that the proposed algorithm achieved better levels of the image evaluation parameters at low bit rates

The importance of training programs in the improvement of the performance of employees in the petroleum companies"- Case of Sonatrach company - The Regional Directorate of BERKAOUI (Ouargla- Algeria)

The training of the workers in the enterprises allows the development in the skills and knowledge of the employees. As the other Enterprises, the training programs in the petroleum companies got a great importance, which became more cleared through this study. Through the case study on Sonatrach subsidiary employees, and based on self-questionnaire our paper aims to analyze the training programs contribution in the improvement of the unit productivity level, and on the upgrading of the profitability and efficiency of the workers. Nevertheless, the importance of the training contribution appears undoubtedly in minimizing the lost days caused by the work accidents, which is a huge costs organization must cover Although the luck in decreasing in the rates of this accidents

The importance of training programs in the improvement of the performance of employees in the petroleum companies"- Case of Sonatrach company - The Regional Directorate of BERKAOUI (Ouargla- Algeria)

The training of the workers in the enterprises allows the development in the skills and knowledge of the employees. As the other Enterprises, the training programs in the petroleum companies got a great importance, which became more cleared through this study. Through the case study on Sonatrach subsidiary employees, and based on self-questionnaire our paper aims to analyze the training programs contribution in the improvement of the unit productivity level, and on the upgrading of the profitability and efficiency of the workers. Nevertheless, the importance of the training contribution appears undoubtedly in minimizing the lost days caused by the work accidents, which is a huge costs organization must cover Although the luck in decreasing in the rates of this accidents

Water and sanitation sector reform in Nigeria

Water and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme in Nigeria is being implemented in six focal States with major funding from the European Union. The programme covers all three subsectors: urban, small town and rural component. The major focus of the programme is to reform the sector and improve governance which is being achieved through introducing processes, guidelines and mechanism to ensure transparency, accountability and effective participation of all stakeholders. In addition sharing of capital cost for construction of water supply systems by all three tiers of government, communities and development partners/donors is a major thrust of financing mechanism. Selection of communities, LGAs and States is based on demand/performance driven-approach which is ensured through application of well established process for community and LGA selection. The programme has so far managed to develop processes, guidelines and mechanisms which were tested in the implementation of integrated delivery of water supply and sanitation services

Successful management of synchronous recurrent breast carcinoma with chronic myelogenous leukemia: a case report

BACKGROUND: Survival is increasing after early breast cancer revealing frequent relapses and possibility of developing secondary malignancies. The concomitant occurrence of these two events is exceptionally disastrous and lethal. We report a case of a Moroccan woman who was successfully managed for synchronous recurrent breast carcinoma and chronic myelogenous leukemia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old Moroccan woman was diagnosed with localized breast carcinoma in 2008. She received six cycles of an adjuvant chemotherapy regimen, radiation therapy and hormonal therapy by tamoxifen. After completion of 5 years of tamoxifen our patient reported asthenia; a physical examination found hepatomegaly, massive splenomegaly measuring 21 cm and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. The staging showed lung and liver metastases. Morphology and immunohistochemical profile of this metastasis identified an adenocarcinoma of mammary origin. In parallel, the diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia was suspected because of the presence of a leukocytosis at 355 × 10(9)/L, with circulating blasts of 4%. Chronic myeloid leukemia was confirmed by a bone marrow biopsy with the presence of Ph chromosome on cytogenetical analysis. Daily imatinib was ordered concurrently with chemotherapy-type docetaxel. The metastases were stable after nine courses of chemotherapy. Due to breast cancer progression 4 months later, bevacizumab and capecitabine were introduced. A major molecular response was achieved after 12 and 18 months. She has now completed 2 years of follow-up, still on a major molecular response, and is undergoing imatinib and capecitabine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Leukocytosis in breast cancer patients can reveal chronic myeloid leukemia. It may warrant a workup to find the underlying etiology, which could include a secondary hematological malignancy

Pulmonary tumor diagnosed as an undifferentiated sarcoma with epithelioid features: a case report

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary sarcomas are uncommon accounting for 0.5 % of all primary lung cancers. Undifferentiated sarcomas account for up to 20 % of soft tissue sarcomas. A lung tumor revealed to be an undifferentiated sarcoma with epithelioid features has never been reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old white Moroccan man presented with 2 months’ history of hemoptysis and dyspnea. Chest computed tomography showed a cystic mass involving the lower field of his right lung evoking first a hydatid cyst. Abdominal computed tomography revealed bilateral adrenal nodules. Surgical resection of the lung mass was performed. On pathological examination, the tumor was cystic containing necrotic material. A histological diagnosis of undifferentiated sarcoma with epithelioid features was made. A positron emission tomography scan showed involvement of his pleura, left colon, adrenal glands, left thigh muscle, and leptomeninges. CONCLUSIONS: Undifferentiated sarcoma with epithelioid features is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor. Clinical and radiological features are not specific. A differential diagnosis includes sarcomatoid carcinoma, malignant mesothelioma, melanoma, and other epithelioid sarcomas

Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) Technique to Map Potential Aquifers of the Guigou Plain (Middle Atlas, Morocco): Hydrogeological Implications

peer reviewedVertical electrical sounding (VES) as a geoelectrical method has proven its effectiveness throughout the history of groundwater geophysical investigation. In this sense, VES was carried out 47 in the study area with the aim of determining the geometry and limits of Quaternary basaltic aquifer formations and, above all, the location of electrical discontinuities in the area located in the north of Morocco, between the center of Almis Guigou and the city of Timahdite. This area is experiencing an overexploitation of the groundwater due to excessive pumping and the development of intensive agriculture activities, resulting in a continuous decrease in piezometric levels. The processing of the diagrams by WINSEV software showed the presence of an electrically resistant surface level, attributed to basaltic formations, of the Quaternary age, whose thicknesses reach at least 150 m to the SW of the area. This level is superimposed on a moderately conductive horizon which, according to local geology, corresponds to Pliocene marl and limestone alternations. The correlation of VES interpretation models allowed us to elaborate thematic maps and geoelectrical sections which illustrate the vertical and lateral extension of the basaltic reservoir as well as its thickness, which decreases in general from the south-west to the north-east; however, the main electrical discontinuities also correspond to faults and fractures, and they show a NE–SW direction sub-parallel to the major accidents of the Middle Atlas. A prospectivity map of the local aquifer was generated, coinciding with regional fault lines and confirmed by the alignment of very good flowing water boreholes. This geophysical study by electrical sounding shed light on the geometry and extension of the aquifer and opened avenues to draw further conclusions on its physical and hydrodynamic characteristics, as well as to optimize the future siting of groundwater exploitation boreholes through the elaboration of the local aquifer prospectivity map