Registration of retinal images from Public Health by minimising an error between vessels using an affine model with radial distortions

In order to estimate a registration model of eye fundus images made of an affinity and two radial distortions, we introduce an estimation criterion based on an error between the vessels. In [1], we estimated this model by minimising the error between characteristics points. In this paper, the detected vessels are selected using the circle and ellipse equations of the overlap area boundaries deduced from our model. Our method successfully registers 96 % of the 271 pairs in a Public Health dataset acquired mostly with different cameras. This is better than our previous method [1] and better than three other state-of-the-art methods. On a publicly available dataset, ours still better register the images than the reference method

Further Observations on Epithelialization of Small Wounds

Linear incisions were made on the back skin of rabbits and 3H-thymidine was injected intravenously during various stages of epithelialization of the wounds. Biopsy specimens were taken 30 minutes and one to three days after injection of the tracer. In the migrating epithelium, the nuclei of basally located cells were labeled thirty minutes after the introduction of 3H-thymidine. The cells located at higher levels did not incorporate the tracer. One or two days later, labeled nuclei also appeared in the upper layers. After wound closure, nuclei were labeled in the basal layer of the epithelium 30 minutes after the introduction of 3H-thymidine. One day later, labeled nuclei appeared in both basal and suprabasal layers, and after three days the nuclei of parakeratotic surface cells were also labeled. These observations indicate that the cells which emigrate from the epidermis divide and differentiate while they move over the wound surface. Thus, mitosis and differentiation are not incompatible with migration as it has been postulated by previous workers. It is concluded that both mitotic and differentiating cells participate in formation of a protective cover over skin wounds

Stress Corrosion Cracking of Stainless Steel Super Heater Tubes in 200 MW Boiler

A few cases of super heater tube failures by corrosion were noticed in a boiler of 210 MW units of NTPC stations. The failure investigation was carried out at the Research and Development centre of NTPC. The failed tubes were examined by using Optical, scanning Electron Microscope and conventional methods. The material of the tube was stabilised grade austenitic stainless steel. The micro-scopic examination indicated the presence of a large number of transgranular cracks with branches. The surface analysis by EDAX revealed the presence of chloride in the corrosion products. The reason of failure has been attributed to chloride induced stress corrosion cracking. Chloride ions had generated supposedly due to leaching of residual contaminants carried over from manufacturing stage. It was suggested to check the cracks already gene-rated by NDT methods and wash the tube panels which were already installed. After implementation of the recomm-endations, no such case of tube failure was reported. The present paper describes the investigations carried out and the remedial measures to prevent chloride induced stress corrosion cracking in supper heater tubes

Mutation studies of the gene encoding YuiC, a stationary phase survival protein in Bacillus subtilis

Aims: YuiC is a stationary phase survival (Sps) protein from the Firmicute Bacillus subtilis that possesses muralytic activity to cleave bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan. It has a small lytic transglycosylase (MltA) fold analogous to the resuscitation promoting factors (Rpfs) of Actinobacteria which have a hybrid of a mini lysozyme and soluble lytic transglycosylase (Slt35/70) fold. The present study aimed at identifying key residues of YuiC/Sps that are catalytically active and studying the effect of B. subtilis cell growth upon sps/yuiC deletion. Methodology and results: Four forms of mutated yuiC were created through Site-directed, Ligase-Independent Mutagenesis Polymerase Chain Reaction (SLIM PCR) that include the substitutions of D129A, D151A, D162A and K102A. These individual mutated yuiC genes were cloned and expressed in the Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) expression system and subsequently purified to homogeneity using affinity, cation exchange and size exclusion chromatography. The D129A variant was shown to be insoluble, indicating its role in maintaining the right protein folding of YuiC. The remaining three variants resulted in soluble proteins but were inactive on zymograms indicating that they may be responsible for catalysis. B. subtilis cells harbouring individual sps genes (yuiC, yabE, yocH and yorM) knocked out showed stationary phase defects and altered colony morphologies compared to the wild type. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This study has identified the key residues involved in catalysis of YuiC, which are the D151, D162 and K102. These are conserved in Sps domains. The catalytic mechanism of YuiC is similar to the mechanism reported for Neisseria gonorrhoeae MltA. sps/yuiC knock outs have implied that each sps/yuiC has a significant role on B. subtilis late growth stage. The B. subtilis YuiC/Sps model has given an insight into Sps functions in the final growth stage of the Firmicutes, which members include etiologic agents of anthrax, botulism and listeriosis. Inhibition of Sps protein may inactivate pathogen replication and facilitate entrance into a non-contagious dormant sporulation stage

Association analysis in Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In the millennium of an ever-growing population, feeding the millions ample amount of food with necessarily required nutrition has become a tough challenge. To cater protein requirement, plant-based protein, especially pulses, have always been a better option. Among the pulses, chickpea is one of the choicest crops being extensively cultivated throughout the world. However, the production and productivity of crops are not sufficient to meet consumer demand throughout the world. To aid in the selection process of chickpea breeding, the present study was performed to evaluate fifty-one kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm lines along with four checks for the degree and direction of association of twelve quantitative characters on yield in fifty five kabuli chickpea genotypes. Considerable positive correlation was found between the weight of 100 seeds and the height of the chickpea plant, but the number of pods per plant and seed volume per weight were observed to be in negative association with the former trait. The primary branch depicted a substantial amount of positive correlation with harvest index, seed yield per individual plant, pods produced per plant. Secondly, the current study on association analysis also unveiled positive and highly significant correlations of the number of primary branches, height at the first pod set, pods/plant, and weight of 100 seeds on seed yield, suggesting their further use as selection criteria  in the  process of crop improvement

The effect of flange restraint on web crippling strength

PREFACE When considering the web crippling strength of a cold-formed steel member, the current edition of the AISI Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members does not distinguish between the behavior of a member having its flanges attached to a support member, and a member not attached to its support. To enhance the industry and design professional\u27s understanding of web crippling, a pilot study was initiated at the University of Missouri-Rolla to explore the influence of flange attachment. The financial assistance for this research was provided by the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). This research consisted of 52 web crippling tests on identical specimens, 26 specimens were bolted to a support beam and 26 were not attached to the support beam. This enabled direct comparison and evaluation of flange attachment. The results were compared with two design criteria, i.e., the 1986 AISI Specification and the 1986 Automotive Steel Design Manual. Because this was a pilot study, there are no new design recommendations, however, suggestions are proposed for future study. This report is based on the thesis presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Civil Engineering. This investigation was sponsored by the Metal Building Manufacturer\u27s Association (MBMA) and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The technical guidance provided by the AISI Subcommittee on Flexural Members and the AISI Staff is gratefully acknowledged. Members of the AISI Subcommittee are: J. N. Nunnery (chairman), R. E. Albrecht, R. E. Brown, D. S. Ellifritt, E. R. Estes, Jr., T. V. Galambos, M. Golovin, R B. Heagler, D. L. Johnson, K. H. Klippstein, R. A. LaBoube, J. N. Macadam, T. B. Pekoz, R. M. Schuster, T. W. Trestain, and W. W. Yu. The AISI Staff include R. B. Haws and K. L. Cole. Thanks are also extended to G. S. Harris of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association for his assistance. Appreciation is also expressed to Shannon Hopkins, Greg Schulte, Jeff Lambert, Scott Fletcher and the staff of the Civil Engineering Department for their valuable assistance in the preparation and performance of the tests

Effect of flange restraint on web crippling strength

INTRODUCTION The web crippling limit states equations given in the AISI Specification were primarily developed based on the results in which the flange was not attached to the support beams. This may not accurately represent field practice, since flanges are typically fastened by bolts or welds to their support beam. Due to these fasteners, the Specification equations may be underestimating the web crippling strength of the member. Therefore, a pilot study was proposed to study the behavior of webs, and the load carrying capacity of the webs with restrained flanges

Clinical and bacteriological correlates of whole blood interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in newly detected cases of pulmonary TB

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the relationship of the capacity to produce interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in whole blood, bacteriological, hematological, radiographic and clinical presentations in new, HIV seronegative cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).Methods80 cases and 50 control subjects aged 15 years onwards, representative of Kasturba Hospital and Nursing schools of Wardha district of Maharashtra state in India were examined for their health condition with standard methodology.ResultsAmong these TB patients, 73.8% were Quantiferon-TB gold (QFT) positive with IFN-γ concentration as 0.35 IU or more and there was none in healthy controls. The mean IFN-γ concentrations varied between 9.58 IU (50-59 yrs) and 2.58 IU (⩾60 yrs), showing no trend. The differences in positivity and mean IFN-γconcentrations were statistically insignificant. Both the QFT positivity and IFN-γconcentrations were higher in normal lymphocyte percent as compared to below and above normal, but differences were not statistically significant.ConclusionsThe IFN-γconcentrations are not correlated with any of the predictors of disease severity studied, the levels are significantly higher in observation group as compared to healthy group