Optic disc (OD) detection is a main step while developing automated screening systems for diabetic retinopathy. We present in this paper a method to automatically detect the position of the OD in digital retinal fundus images. The method starts by normalizing luminosity and contrast through out the image using illumination equalization and adaptive histogram equalization methods respectively. The OD detection algorithm is based on matching the expected directional pattern of the retinal blood vessels. Hence, a simple matched filter is proposed to roughly match the direction of the vessels at the OD vicinity. The retinal vessels are segmented using a simple and standard 2-D Gaussian matched filter. Consequently, a vessels direction map of the segmented retinal vessels is obtained using the same segmentation algorithm. The segmented vessels are then thinned, and filtered using local intensity, to represent finally the OD-center candidates. The difference between the proposed matched filter resized into four different sizes, and the vessels' directions at the surrounding area of each of the OD-center candidates is measured. The minimum difference provides an estimate of the OD-center coordinates. The proposed method was evaluated using a subset of the STARE project's dataset, containing 81 fundus images of both normal and diseased retinas, and initially used by literature OD detection methods. The OD-center was detected correctly in 80 out of the 81 images (98.77%). In addition, the OD-center was detected correctly in all of the 40 images (100%) using the publicly available DRIVE dataset.
Under the umbrella of Ubiquitous Computing, lies the fields of natural, organic and tangible userinterfaces. Although some work have been made in organic user interface (OUI) design principles, noformalized framework have been set for OUIs and their interaction model, or design-specific guidelines, asfar as we know. In this paper we propose an OUI framework by which we deduced the developedinteraction model for organic systems design. Moreover we recommended three main design principles forOUI design, in addition to a set of design-specific guidelines for each type of our interaction model.Our proposed framework is deduced based on previous work of other related researches for GraphicalUser Interface (GUI) and Tangible User Interface (TUI) frameworks. By categorizing the input techniquesof OUI systems, we were able to propose the ‘/ Manipulation/ air-Gesture’ (SMaG) interaction model.Each category of SMaG model is explored thoroughly and criticized accordingly. Based on the SMaGinteraction model we introduced some design guidelines for OUIs. The proposed OUI design principles arebased on three usability aspects: look, feel and design. We conclude by pointing out our proposed OUIusability guidelines and considerations regarding design-specific organic interfaces that uses each of theinput interaction techniques of SMaG model, their best use, worst use and how to use
A methodology for elucidation of structural, functional, and mechanistic knowledge on promiscuous proteins is proposed that constitutes a workflow of integrated bioinformatics analysis. Sequence alignments with closely related homologues can reveal conserved regions which are functionally important. Scanning protein motif databases, along with secondary and surface accessibility predictions integrated with post-translational modification sites (PTMs) prediction reveal functional and protein-binding motifs. Integrating this information about the protein with the GO, SCOP, and CATH annotations of the templates can help to formulate a 3D model with reasonable accuracy even in the case of distant sequence homology. A novel integrative model of the non-structural protein 5A of Hepatitis C virus: a hub promiscuous protein with roles in virus replication and host interactions is proposed. The 3D structure for domain II was predicted based on, the Homo sapiens Replication factor-A protein-1 (RPA1), as a template using consensus meta-servers results. Domain III is an intrinsically unstructured domain with a fold from the retroviral matrix protein, which conducts diverse protein interactions and is involved in viral replication and protein interactions. It also has a single-stranded DNA-binding protein motif (SSDP) signature for pyrimidine binding during viral replication. Two protein-binding motifs with high sequence conservation and disordered regions are proposed; the first corresponds to an Interleukin-8B receptor signature (IL-8R-B), while the second has a lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR) high local similarity. A mechanism is proposed to their contribution to NS5A Interferon signaling pathway interception. Lastly, the overlapping between LTβR and SSDP is considered as a sign for NS5A date hubs.
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