Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based Object Recognition Using Multiple Feature Sets

In this work, a simplified Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based approach for recognition of various objects is explored using multiple features. The objective is to configure and train an ANN to be capable of recognizing an object using a feature set formed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Frequency Domain and Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) components. The idea is to use these varied components to form a unique hybrid feature set so as to capture relevant details of objects for recognition using a ANN which for the work is a Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP) trained with (error) Back Propagation learning

Critical splay fluctuations and colossal flexoelectric effect above non-polar to polar nematic phase transition

The recent discovery of nematic liquid crystals with polar order (ferroelectric nematic) has created immense interest. Despite intensive research, several physical properties of this liquid crystal are yet to be investigated and understood. Here, we report experimental studies on the birefringence and exoelectric coefficient of a polar nematic (NF) liquid crystal. Our experiments directly reveal that the splay fluctuations influence the birefringence several degrees above the nonpolar (N) to polar-nematic (NF) phase transition temperature and the heat capacity exponent obtained from the tilt angle fluctuations is close to the value reported in adiabatic scanning calorimetry measurements. The flexoelectric coefficient of the nonpolar nematic phase shows a power-law dependence on temperature. Our results demonstrate a strong coupling of splay fluctuations with electric polarization that reduces the splay elastic constant and consequently enhances the flexoelectric coefficient. These results are important for forthcoming applications as well as for understanding all pretransitional effects in ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals.Comment: 5 pages and 4 figure

Acoustic Feature Identification to Recognize Rag Present in Borgit

In the world of Indian classical music, raga recognition is a crucial undertaking. Due to its particular sound qualities, the traditional wind instrument known as the borgit presents special difficulties for automatic raga recognition. In this research, we investigate the use of auditory feature identification methods to create a reliable raga recognition system for Borgit performances. Each of the Borgits, the devotional song of Assam is enriched with rag and each rag has unique melodious tune. This paper has carried out few experiments on the audio samples of rags and a few Borgits sung with those rugs. In this manuscript three mostly used rags and a few Borgits  with these rags are considered for the experiment. Acoustic features considred here are FFT (Fast Fourier Transform), ZCR (Zero Crossing Rates), Mean and Standard deviation of pitch contour and RMS(Root Mean Square). After evaluation and analysis it is seen that FFT  and ZCR are two noteworthy acoustic features that helps to identify the rag present in Borgits. At last K-means clustering was applied on the FFT and ZCR values of the Borgits and were able to find correct grouping according to rags present there. This research validates FFT and ZCR as most precise acoustic parameters for rag identification in Borgit. Here researchers had observed roles of Standard deviation of pitch contour and RMS values of the audio samples in rag identification. &nbsp

Micropropagation of Curcuma amada (Roxb.)

Rhizome explants of Curcuma amada (Roxb.) produced shoots and roots simultaneously when cultured in B6 medium containing NAA and BAP. This technique would be suitable for field propagation and conservation. &nbsp

Micropropagation of Curcuma amada (Roxb.)

Rhizome explants of Curcuma amada (Roxb.) produced shoots and roots simultaneously when cultured in B6 medium containing NAA and BAP. This technique would be suitable for field propagation and conservation. &nbsp

Microwave promoted one-pot synthesis of novel A-ring fused steroidal dehydropiperazines

The preparation of ring-A fused steroidal dehydropiperazine at the 3,4-position is herein described. The novel steroidal dehydropiperazines were prepared from the annulation reaction of ethylenediamine with 3-keto-4-en steroids in a one-pot reaction under microwave irradiation. The key step involves base catalysed aerial oxidation of the C-6 methylene group followed by cyclocondensation of ethylenediamine via Michael addition reaction

Mills hemiparetic or hemiplegic variant of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Mills hemiplegic variant of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a gradually progressive, spastic ascending or descending hemiparesis or hemiplegia without any sensory involvement. Authors presented a 47 years old female with history of gradually progressive left sided wasting of muscles including the tongue, left hemiparesis along with dysarthria and fasciculation’s of tongue and left sided muscles with left sided cortico-spinal tract signs of 2 years duration. There were no sensory as well as bowel bladder involvement. Her cognition was intact. Relevant blood and CSF examinations were within normal limit. MRI Brain and whole spine were unremarkable. Nerve conduction study was essentially normal. Electromyography(EMG) showed chronic denervation potentials which is in accordance to Revised El Escorial criteria, 2015 for the diagnosis of this extremely uncommon entity- Mills hemiplegic variant of ALS. The major challenge in diagnosis of this disease entity is to exclude other diseases/disorders that may mimic its symptomatology

Eribulin treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer:The United Kingdom experience - a multicenter retrospective study

Introduction: This study examined real-world data from patients who received eribulin for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) collected from 14 hospitals across the UK. Methods: Anonymized data were collected retrospectively from patients with MBC who had received eribulin. The data included the hormone-receptor status, histological diagnosis, age, prior chemotherapy, response to eribulin, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: Among 577 patients analyzed, the median age was 56 years, and most patients (73%) were estrogen-receptor positive. The median OS was 288 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 261–315), and the PFS was 117 days (95% CI: 105–129). The median OS was higher among older patients (≥65 vs. p = 0.028). The median OS was also higher in patients who received eribulin after fewer prior lines of chemotherapy (≤2 vs. >2 prior: 328 days [95% CI: 264–385] vs. 264 days [95% CI: 229–298]; p = 0.042). Discussion/Conclusion: These retrospective data suggest that eribulin can be successfully used in older patients with MBC. Eribulin treatment was more effective in earlier-line settings, which, while predictable, supports consideration of eribulin as a second-line treatment option. </p