Text Localization in Video Using Multiscale Weber's Local Descriptor

In this paper, we propose a novel approach for detecting the text present in videos and scene images based on the Multiscale Weber's Local Descriptor (MWLD). Given an input video, the shots are identified and the key frames are extracted based on their spatio-temporal relationship. From each key frame, we detect the local region information using WLD with different radius and neighborhood relationship of pixel values and hence obtained intensity enhanced key frames at multiple scales. These multiscale WLD key frames are merged together and then the horizontal gradients are computed using morphological operations. The obtained results are then binarized and the false positives are eliminated based on geometrical properties. Finally, we employ connected component analysis and morphological dilation operation to determine the text regions that aids in text localization. The experimental results obtained on publicly available standard Hua, Horizontal-1 and Horizontal-2 video dataset illustrate that the proposed method can accurately detect and localize texts of various sizes, fonts and colors in videos.Comment: IEEE SPICES, 201

Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea among medical students and its impact on their college absenteeism

Background: Dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome are two most common gynaecological problem leading to college absenteeism seen among female medical students. Aim of the study was to evaluate the factors associated and prevalence of dysmenorrhoea and PMS and its effects on the quality of life, particularly absenteeism from college in female medical students. The health care profession has an obligation to provide and to promote education on menstruation and related subjects.Methods: This is a prospective study, conducted on 100 MBBS students studying in a medical college at Mangalore. All participants were given a preformed questionnaire to complete. Dysmenorrhea was assessed based on WaLiDD scoring system. Diagnosis of PMS in the present study was made according to diagnosis criteria proposed by American College of obstetrician and gynecology. The severity of their condition was assessed based on their absenteeism from college/classes.Results: The average age of the participants was 21 year±1 year. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 45% and that of the pre-menstrual syndrome was 68%. Pre-menstrual syndrome (p = 0.05) is significantly associated with overweight, obesity and physical inactivity but not the same for dysmenorrhea. 73% and 60% of students consumed junk food suffered from PMS and dysmenorrhea respectively, 40% of students with dysmenorrhea reported limitation of daily activities and significantly associated with college absenteeism (p = 0.005). The most frequent somatic symptom of PMS in this study was breast tenderness (41%) and affective symptom was irritability (35%).Conclusions: Dysmenorrhea and PMS is highly prevalent among female medical students; it is related to college/class absenteeism. Unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle could be the attributing factors which has to be addressed by health education in order to improve the quality of life and academic performance by the medical students

Comparative study of user friendliness of paperless partogram compared to WHO partogram in preventing prolonged labour

Background: Partogram is being used since 1954 when Friedman described it for monitoring progress of labour. The Paperless Partogram proposed by Dr. Debdas is a low-skill method for detection of abnormal labour. The objective of the present study was to know efficacy and user friendliness of paperless partogram in comparison with WHO partogram in monitoring and management of labourMethods: It’s a comparative study. Total of 100 patients were included in the study where half of the patients were monitored by paperless partogram and the other half by WHO modified partogram. The plotting of the WHO partographs started as soon the cervical dilatation was 4 cm along with regular painful uterine contractions. In the paperless partogram calculation will be two times, an ALERT ETD (estimated time of delivery) and an ACTION ETD. The outcome of labour will be recorded at the end of each partographs.Results: Paperless partogram was better than WHO partogram in terms of documentation, ease of use, learning, time factor, cost effectiveness and monitoring of labour, identification of abnormal labour.Conclusions: In present study paperless partogram was found to be preferred for monitoring of labour

Cooper pair tunneling in junctions of singlet quantum Hall states and superconductors

We propose tunnel junctions of a Hall bar and a superconducting lead, for observing Cooper-pair tunneling into singlet fractional quantum Hall edge states. These tunnel junctions provide a natural means of extracting precise information of the spin polarization and the filling factor of the state. The low energy regime of one of the set-ups is governed by a novel quantum entangled fixed point.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure (3 subfigures); new title and abstract; new discussion of the quantum entangled fixed point; final manuscript as publishe

Elastic properties of lead-phosphate glasses doped with samarium trioxide

A series of ternary lead-phosphate glasses doped with samarium trioxide, xSm2O3-(40-x)PbO-60 P2O5 (where x=0.1 to 0.5 mol) have been prepared by using conventional melt quenching method and their elastic properties have been studied at room temperature. Results from the studies show that both longitudinal and transverse sound velocities decrease by increasing the Sm2O3 content. Elastic moduli, Poisson's ratios decrease with increase of Sm2O3 composition up to 0.3 mol and then there is a slight increasing trend observed at 0.4 mol. The densities of these glasses have been measured by using displacement method. The variations of these parameters have been discussed with respect to samarium trioxide concentration. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Cervical effacement, as an independent parameter versus modified bishop score, for predicting the favorability of vaginal delivery in a primigravida at 40 weeks gestation and beyond

Background: Dr. Edward Bishop developed the original bishop score. He concluded that elective induction in multiparous women was successful with a score > 8. Calder introduced the modified bishop score in which he replaced cervical effacement with cervical length in cms. Score of 6-12 is favourable. In this study, studied the cervical effacement/ length as an independent predictor of vaginal delivery in a primigravida.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from May 2018 to January 2019. Total participants were divided into two groups on the basis of spontaneous labor and induced labor. Both the groups were assessed individually and collectively in terms of cervical effacement/length and modified bishop score. Study primary outcome was vaginal delivery. The results were reflected in terms of sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV. These values were compared for cervical effacement/ length as well as modified bishop score and p value calculated. Also, association between modified bishop score and cervical effacement/length was established.Results: Total number of participants included was n = 91. Those with modified bishop score > 6, 78.16% had vaginal delivery. This gave a sensitivity of 78.16%, specificity of 50%, PPV of 97.14%. Those with cervical effacement of >/=50% or cervical length of /= 50% had modified bishop score >/= 6, reflecting the association between them.Conclusions: Cervical effacement of >/= 50% or cervical length </= 2 cms yielded an equivalently high predictive ability similar to modified bishop score, for spontaneous as well as induced labor. Hence, cervical effacement can be taken as an independent parameter to assess the favorability of successful vaginal delivery in a primigravida