Stack-run adaptive wavelet image compression

We report on the development of an adaptive wavelet image coder based on stack-run representation of the quantized coefficients. The coder works by selecting an optimal wavelet packet basis for the given image and encoding the quantization indices for significant coefficients and zero runs between coefficients using a 4-ary arithmetic coder. Due to the fact that our coder exploits the redundancies present within individual subbands, its addressing complexity is much lower than that of the wavelet zerotree coding algorithms. Experimental results show coding gains of up to 1:4dB over the benchmark wavelet coding algorithm

The Induction and Evaluation of Productive Semidwarf Mutants of Basmati-370

Dry, uniform seeds of Basmati 370 with about 14% moisture content were exposed to 0, 15,20 and 25kR doses of gamma rays (60Co source). Twenty one semi-dwarf mutants were selected from 36,000 M2 plants originating from about 12,000 Ml plants. The breeding behaviour of these mutants was studied in M3 and consequently 6 mutants were selected. The comparative yield test of mutants with mother cultivar Basmati-370, established the high yield potential and semi-dwarf plant posture of mutant strains. The other plant attributes as well as physico-chemical traits of the mutants and parent cultivar are also presented

Talking the talk, but not walking the walk: a comparison of self-reported and observed prosocial behavior

The claim that Public Service Motivation (PSM) is an antecedent of prosocial behaviour has often been empirically tested and supported. However, closer inspection of this literature reveals large disparities in relating the two constructs. One reason that could explain such differences is that the relationship between PSM and prosocial behaviours has been primarily tested using self‐reported cross‐sectional, single‐rater and same‐survey data. While all of these are widely used methodological approaches in social sciences, they are also susceptible to potential biases. We conduct two comparative studies to re‐examine this relationship. Study 1 utilizes self‐reported cross‐sectional, single‐rater and same‐survey data linking PSM and prosocial behaviour, revealing a positive relationship with PSM's Compassion dimension. Study 2 involves observing actual prosocial behaviour in a real‐life setting. Then, the correlation between PSM and prosocial behaviour disappears. We conclude by discussing the possible reasons that could lead to the differences found across the two studies

A note on “Taylor–Couette flow of a generalized second grade fluid due to a constant couple”

In this brief note, we show that the unsteady flow of a generalized second grade fluid due to a constant couple, as well as the similar flow of Newtonian and ordinary second grade fluids, ultimately becomes steady. For this, a new form of the exact solution for velocity is established. This solution is presented as a sum of the steady and transient components. The required time to reach the steady-state is obtained by graphical illustrations

PDF Estimation and Liquid Water Content Based Attenuation Modeling for Fog in Terrestrial FSO Links

Terrestrial Free-space optical communication (FSO) links have yet to achieve a mass market success due to the ever elusive 99.999% availability requirement. The terrestrial FSO links are heavily affected by atmospheric fog. To design systems which can achieve high availability and reliability in the presence of fog, accurate and better models of fog attenuation need to be developed. The current article puts forth appropriate probability density function estimates for received signal strength (hereafter RSS) under fog conditions, where variations in the RSS during foggy events have been statistically characterized. Moreover, from the surface observations of fog density, liquid water content (hereafter LWC) of fog is estimated. The actual measured optical attenuations are then compared with the optical attenuations estimated from LWC. The results presented suggest that fog density measurements carried out are accurate representation of the fog intensity and the attenuation predictions obtained by the LWC estimate match the actual measured optical attenuations. This suggests that the LWC is a useful parameter besides visibility range to predict optical attenuations in the presence of hydrometeors

Vestibular schwannomas: Clinical presentation, management and outcome

Objective: To review the demographic trends clinical spectrum, diagnosis, management and outcome of patients with vestibular Schwannoma and to identify areas where improvements are needed.Methods: All patients with vestibular schwannoma admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital over the past 11 years were reviewed retrospectively.Results: The age range of majority of 22 patients analyzed, was 41-50 years (23%). Hearing loss was the most common presenting symptom (96%). Other clinical features included cranial nerve palsies (59%) and headache (55%). Fifty percent had signs of raised intracranial pressure. Neuroimaging revealed Stage IV b (tumor distorting the brainstem and compressing the 4th ventricle) in 50% cases. Neurosurgical intervention was carried out in 86%; mainly using the retrosigmoid approach. Postoperative complications included facial nerve palsy in 13 (65%) and hydrocephalus in 5 (25%) patients. Hearing determined clinically was preserved in three patients (14%). One patient died during the inpatient stay.Conclusion: Presentation of these patients is late and the outcome is poor

Link of Pharella Acutidens Abundance and Mangrove Habitat in Cempi Bay, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggar

Pharella acutidens clam is a bivalve lives in mangrove ecosystem substrate, that is one of protein source for Dompu\u27s people. the existence of pharella acutidens in Cempi Bay, Dompu begin difficult to collect due to mangrove area has been reduced by result of land conversion from mangrove ekosistem area to estuary aquaculture pond and mangrove timber exploitation by local community as well as the Pharella acutidens routin exploitation, these factor may has influenced the existence of Pharella acutidens clam in the Cempi Bay mangrove ecosystem. This study aims to determine the condition of the Pharella acutidens clams located in the mangrove ecosystem Cempi bay, which in is an abundance on different conditions mangrove vegetation an abundance of Pharella acutidens clams tended more on high density and high basal area sites as well as the size of the clams. Varied habitats, from the density of 1.333 trees/ha up to 3.300 trees/ha, the basal area and the diverse species of mangrove, making this study an interesting thing This journal is part of the research that explains positive influence between total basal area of mangrove vegetation (∑Ci) and abundance of Pharella acutidens, by simple regression analysis. The result showed that total basal area of mangrove vegetation (∑Ci) positively influencing abundance of P. acutidens clams with equation y = 0,3038x + 3,887 and R2 = 0,9579

Assessment of biodiversity based on morphological characteristics and RAPD markers among genotypes of wild rose species

Conservation and utilization of the native plant resources is essential for long term sustainability of biodiversity. Wild native resources are adapted to specific and diverse environmental conditions and therefore, these adaptive features can be introduced into modern cultivars either through conventional breeding or advanced molecular genetic techniques. Understanding the genetic make up of the wildly growing plant species and of target desirable genes is a prerequisite for this purpose. Five wild rose (Rosa L.) genotypes were collected from different locations in northern hilly areas of Pakistan for this study. Different morphological characteristics and PCR based random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to find out the diversity and relationship among the genotypes. On morphological basis, Rosa webbiana collected from Muree and Nathia gali showed maximum (83%) similarity, whereas on DNA pattern basis, Rosa brunonii collected from Bansra gali and Sunny bank showed maximum (72%) similarity, while R. webbiana showed maximum diversity among all the species.Key words: Genetic diversity, morphological differences, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Rosa