The segmentation of lung volumes constitutes the first step for most computer–aided systems for lung diseases. CT (Computed Tomography) is the most common imaging technique used by these systems, so fast and accurate methods are needed to for allow early and reliable analysis. In this paper, an efficient and fully automatic method for the segmentation of the lung volumes in CT is presented. Thi...

This paper examines the overlap between competition and friendship in networks, an instance of multiplexity that we call the grand duality. We demonstrate that managers differ systematically whether they perceive competition with their friends. Structure matters, in that managers are more likely to see competition among friends who are the same sex, in the same work unit, on the same social ran...

I revisit the question of whether entrepreneurs face liquidity constraints in business formation. The principle challenge is that wealth is correlated with unobserved ability, and adequate instruments are often difficult to identify. This paper uses the son’s birth order as an instrument for household wealth. The instrument would likely not be useful in Western data, but it is in many non-Weste...

Team Oshkosh, composed of Oshkosh Corporation, Teledyne Scientific and Imaging Company, VisLab of the University of Parma, Ibeo Automotive Sensor GmbH, and Auburn University, participated in the DARPA Urban Challenge and was one of the 11 teams selected to compete in the final event. Through development, testing, and participation in the official events, we experimented and demonstrated autonom...

background and purpose: the objective of medical education is to train competent and qualified workforce in order to provide services in various health environments. one of the important objectives of operating room students is to train workforce who can involve in patient’s health and recovery. training these students should cause clinical ability and independent decision making during surgery...

chronic cough is a common problem in patients visiting physicians and its prevalence in different populations range from 3 to 40%. postnasal drip, asthma and gastroesophageal reflux are the known cause of chronic cough. although diagnosis of asthma is usually made by clinical signs and spirometeric results, methacholine challenge test is a good diagnostic test in patients who show normal physic...

Paragangliomas are neoplasms of neural crest origin. In the head and neck, they uncommonly involve the larynx. The distinction between paragangliomas and other neuroendocrine tumors can be difficult. Precise diagnosis is important in order to optimize patient treatment. Diagnosis relies mostly on histopathologic examination followed by immunohistochemistry. Here we report a 77-year-old woman wi...

The success rate of embryo production critically depends on several factors. One of the pivotal factors is a technique used for the whole procedure of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro embryo culture (IVC) (1, 2). Besides the technique selected for IVF / in vitro embryo production (IVEP), there is an important consideration called IVF/IVEP culture dishes disin...

Every year, some 3.9 million girls aged 15 to 19 years undergo unsafe abortions (1). Approximately 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 years and 2.5 million girls under 16 years give birth each year in developing regions (2, 3). Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15 to 19 year-old girls globally (4). Adolescent mothers (ages 10 to 19 years) face higher r...