iWarpGAN: Disentangling Identity and Style to Generate Synthetic Iris Images

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have shown success in approximating complex distributions for synthetic image generation. However, current GAN-based methods for generating biometric images, such as iris, have certain limitations: (a) the synthetic images often closely resemble images in the training dataset; (b) the generated images lack diversity in terms of the number of unique identities represented in them; and (c) it is difficult to generate multiple images pertaining to the same identity. To overcome these issues, we propose iWarpGAN that disentangles identity and style in the context of the iris modality by using two transformation pathways: Identity Transformation Pathway to generate unique identities from the training set, and Style Transformation Pathway to extract the style code from a reference image and output an iris image using this style. By concatenating the transformed identity code and reference style code, iWarpGAN generates iris images with both inter- and intra-class variations. The efficacy of the proposed method in generating such iris DeepFakes is evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively using ISO/IEC 29794-6 Standard Quality Metrics and the VeriEye iris matcher. Further, the utility of the synthetically generated images is demonstrated by improving the performance of deep learning based iris matchers that augment synthetic data with real data during the training process

A DECONSTRUCTIONIST ARRAIGNMENT OF READING

Deconstructive readers are interested in ironies, aporias, paradoxes, contradictions, conflicts, parenthesis, ambiguities, puns, multiple meanings, linguistic peculiarities, intertextuality, repetitions, etc. Deconstructive readers give you an idea about in the ways a text says something different from what it aims to imply or the ways texts do not always mean. According to Barbara Johnson, “The reader’s task is to read what is written rather than simply attempt to perceive what might have been meant” (25). In this regard, deconstruction is an analog of New Criticism and other formalisms. Deconstruction in some respects is merely a synonym for ‘analysis’, which means that the title of this research paper is a tautology. It is not a synonym for ‘destruction’. Though the American style of deconstruction as operational tenets for literary criticism has now lost its significance, the deconstructive strategies of critical analysis have been commonly used so far. Deconstructive criticism, as Culler concludes, is not the application of philosophical lessons to literary studies, but an exploration of textual logic in texts called literarily. This paper is essentially an analysis—a breaking down of a complex text into its various elements and a close assessment of those elements, especially the elements that most need examination because of the difficulties, ambiguities, or problems that they pretend

In silico analysis for the presence of HARDY an Arabidopsis drought tolerance DNA binding transcription factor product in chromosome 6 of Sorghum bicolor genome

Expression of the Arabidopsis HARDY (hrd) DNA binding transcription factor (555 bp present on chromosome 2) has been shown to increase WUE in rice by Karaba et al 2007 (PNAS, 104:15270–15275). We conducted a detail analysis of the complete sorghum genome for the similarity/presence of either DNA, mRNA or protein product of the Arabidopsis HARDY (hrd) DNA binding transcription factor (555 bp present on chromosome 2). Chromosome 6 showed a sequence match of 61.5 percent positive between 61 and 255 mRNA residues of the query region. Further confirmation was obtained by TBLASTN which showed that chromosome 6 of the sorghum genome has a region between 54948120 and 54948668 which has 80 amino acid similarities out of the 185 residues. A homology model was constructed and verified using Anolea, Gromos and Verify3D. Scanning the motif for possible activation sites revealed that there was a protein kinase C phosphorylation site between 15th and 20th residue. The study indicates the possibility of the presence of a DNA binding transcription factor in chromosome 6 of Sorghum bicolor with 60 percent similarity to that of Arabidopsis hrd DNA binding transcription factor

A CASE REPORT OF AN ATYPICAL BUT IMPORTANT POTENTIAL CAUSE FOR PAIN IN THE RIGHT ILIAC FOSSA: TOOTHPICK PERFORATION.

Introduction One uncommon cause of right iliac fossa pain is toothpick ingestion leading to intestinal perforation. It is a difficult diagnosis due to its nonspecific clinical presentation and investigation findings. In spite of this, individuals who have a high risk of morbidity and death may have severe consequences from toothpick intake, hence it is crucial to diagnose the condition accurately.  Case report In the study, a young man with right iliac fossa discomfort—first thought to be appendicitis—had his ileocaecal junction perforated by a toothpick, which was discovered to be the source of the pain during surgery.  Conclusion When a patient presents with an acute abdomen, clinicians need to be aware that a foreign body ingestion may have been the cause. It is also necessary to educate the general people about the dangers of using toothpick

Applicability Of Laws In India With Special Reference To Rural Area

India is the country with the lengthiest written constitution and with the help of that constitution, our government ensures that we will protect by it. Law & order is available for the betterment of citizens and that is also mentions in the “Directive Principles of State”. The constitution of India has so many powers in itself and through its directions the whole structure run. We are aware about the politics, economics and other stuffs but the major disaster in India is something else and that we are ignoring. Our administration is keep on saying that they are doing their work with full liability but is that truth? We know the applicability of our laws in rural areas is still a dream for those who are living there. Here, we are determining those issues which are the big stumbling blocks in the development of rural areas

ANTIDIABETIC EFFECTS OF [10]-GINGEROL IN STREPTOZOTOCIN- AND HIGH-FAT DIET-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: India is the “diabetes capital of the world” with 62.4 million Indians having type 2 diabetes in 2011. A major risk factor for insulin resistance is obesity, which is generally caused by regular physical inactivity and high-fat diet (HFD). Obesity and diabetes are closely related to each other as about 80% of diabetics are obese. Obesity is a common finding in type 2 diabetes. The objective of the study was to investigate the antidiabetic effects of [10]-gingerol in streptozotocin (STZ)- and HFD-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Wistar rats were used for the study. Animals were divided into six groups. The six groups in this study were, Group I (normal control), Group II (diabetic control), Group III (glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg p.o.), Group IV (orlistat at 60 mg/kg p.o.), Group V ([10]-gingerol at 15 mg/kg p.o.), and Group VI [10]-gingerol (30 mg/kg p.o.), respectively. The antidiabetic activity was assessed using blood glucose level, body weight, and various biochemical parameters such as serum total cholesterol (TC) level, triglyceride (TG) level, high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), total protein (TP), serum alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase), respectively. Results: [10]-gingerol exhibited an antidiabetic effect by significantly decreased the level of blood glucose, body weight, TC, TG, TP, and increase HDL. The results of the study demonstrated that the treatment with [10]-gingerol significantly (p<0.05) and dose dependently prevented STZ- and HFD-induced diabetic rats. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggest that [10]-gingerol possesses potential antidiabetic activity as it lowers serum glucose level

Toxicity Assessment of Sesbania sesban var. bicolor a Traditionally used Anthelmintic Medicinal Plant, in Rodent Models

Sesbania sesban var. bicolor, a tropical shrub,is a medicinal plant in India. This assessment reports the toxic potentials of its leaf extract. Acute oral toxicity was executed in mice whereas sub-acute toxicity was carried out using rodent models. The study showed that the median lethal dose was over than 5000 mg/kg. Toxicity assessments displayed a mild increase in neutrophils and a mild decrease in eosinophil and monocyte counts in rats. Also, the SGOT and SGPT levels were found to be raised, indicating evidence of hepatotoxicity. The mitochondria of kidney and liver tissues studied by transmission electron microscopy revealed damage in the cristae and membrane. Together, it may be concluded that S. sesban var. bicolor extract possesses mild toxicity in experimental animals. Therefore, despite its efficacy in traditional medicine, the long-term use of this plant should be controlled

Cold Injury Prevention and Management in High Altitude Extreme Environments Pharmacological and Therapeutical Interventions

Cold injury refers to local or systemic body response that occurs due to massive loss of body heat when the body is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. The current modalities for the prevention and management of cold injury(ies) are very limited due to the paucity of availability of targeted therapeutics. Pathophysiological cascades in cold injury include: (a) desensitization of sensory neurons can be manifest as a result of altered pathophysiological functions viz., Ca2+ imaging, calcitonin gene-related peptide release, expressions of inflammatory mediators (PGE2: prostaglandin E2, NGF: nerve growth factors), (b) inflammatory markers viz.; interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and CD62E/endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (E-selectin); (c) oxidative stress markers associated with cold injury measured through serum level of protein carbonyl, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), superoxide dismutase (SODs), advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP) and nitrotyrosine; (d) endothelial damage: nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin (PGI2), reactive oxygen species (ROS), Von-Willebrand factor (VWF), CD31/PECAM-1 (platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1), CD36/SR-B3 (scavenger receptor class B member 3) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (TTPA). In this review paper, we elaborate on the current state-of-the-art pharmacological interventions for cold injury that may be beneficial in developing novel and targeted therapeutics for the prevention, management, and treatment of cold injury