DEVELOPMENT OF A MOBILE BASED DIABETES RETINOPATHY DETECTION SYSTEM

Diabetes Retinopathy is a common retinal complication associated with diabetes. It is a major cause of blindness in the world most especially developing countries like Nigeria, which shares the largest percentage in Africa. Therefore early detection will be highly beneficial in effectively controlling the progress of the disease. The focus of this paper is to solve the problems of inadequate number of specialist who can handle growing number of people afflicted with the disease; and unavailability of mobile device that can aid early detection of diabetes retinopathy disease. Hence, in this paper a Mobile based Diabetes Retinopathy Detection System was developed to make it available for the masses for early detection of the disease

Inability of immunohistochemistry to predict clinical outcomes of endometrial cancer patients

Gossett DR, Alo P, Bristow RE, Galati M, Kyshtoobayeva A, Fruehauf J, Montz FJ. Inability of immunohistochemistry to predict clinical outcomes of endometrial cancer patients. Introduction: Despite optimal surgery, some patients with early endometrial carcinoma develop recurrence and die of disease. A number of immunohistochemical (IHC)-identified cell products (markers) have been proposed as predictors of recurrence. This study characterizes a large series of endometrial carcinomas with previously described markers as well as markers that have not been investigated in endometrial carcinoma. Patients and methods: Women who had undergone surgery for endometrial carcinoma were identified and specimens accessed. Tissue blocks were evaluated for ten IHC markers. Results were correlated with last known clinical status. Results: Mean follow-up was 43 months; complete data were available on 117 patients. Two women died of other causes; of the remaining 115, eight died of disease and six were alive with recurrence at last follow-up (12%). Vascular endothelial growth factor staining independently predicted recurrence and death. However, in multivariate analyses, only FIGO stage predicted outcome. Discussion: Our goal was to identify markers to predict which women with endometrial carcinoma were likely to have disease recurrence. We evaluated cell-cycle regulatory proteins, growth factors, hormone receptors, and angiogenic factors, but did not identify any marker that independently predicted outcome in multivariate analysis. This may reflect the few negative outcomes in our population.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72601/1/j.1048-891x.2004.014028.x.pd

Northern Hemisphere atmospheric stilling accelerates lake thermal responses to a warming world

Climate change, in particular the increase in air temperature, has been shown to influence lake thermal dynamics, with climatic warming resulting in higher surface temperatures, stronger stratification, and altered mixing regimes. Less-studied is the influence on lake thermal dynamics of atmospheric stilling, the decrease in near-surface wind speed observed in recent decades. Here we use a lake model to assess the influence of atmospheric stilling, on lake thermal dynamics across the Northern Hemisphere. From 1980-2016, lake thermal responses to warming have accelerated as a result of atmospheric stilling. Lake surface temperatures and thermal stability have changed at respective rates of 0.33 and 0.38°C decade-1, with atmospheric stilling contributing 15 and 27% of the calculated changes, respectively. Atmospheric stilling also resulted in a lengthening of stratification, contributing 23% of the calculated changes. Our results demonstrate that atmospheric stilling has influenced lake thermal responses to warming

DEVELOPMENT OF A GROUND-BASED MODEL FOR REMOTE CROP CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM

Agricultural activity is not only one of the basic activities of the human society, but also the premise for the development of human society. Besides, it has close relation with the development and stabilization of nowadays society. It is of great significance to monitor the growth level of crops in order to obtain crop condition information at early stages in the crop growing season thereby, resulting into a good and quality product at the point of harvest, hence improve food security. This paper develops a ground-based model for remote crop condition monitoring system using the Arduino platform. Considering temperature – a major factor that affects the growth of crops and destruction of farm products by pests, animals or objects. This model was designed to sound an alarm when temperature rises beyond 400C or approaching 00C or when a destructive object is detected.  The model uses electronic devices like the breadboard, Arduino board, Ultrasonic sensor, Liquid Crystal, Display, Piezo Buzzer and the LM35 temperature sensor. For the purpose of simulation, the model circuit was fabricated using the Proteus Design Suite software. The operation of the model is designed and tested using the Arduino software

Stand growth, Biomass and Carbon sequestration potentials of Parkia biglobosa (jacq.) Bench plantation in South-Western Nigeria

This study assessed tree growth variables, above (AGB), below ground biomass (BGB) and total carbon content (TC) sequestered by Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Bench. Plantation in Wasangare, Oyo State using non-destructive ground base survey. Tree growth data (Diameter at breast height, Dbh and Tree height, Th) were collected using lacer ace hypsometer and diameter girth tape from 20 temporary sampling plots of size 25 m X 25 m established through systematic transect lines. Diameter size classes (DSC) for the plantation was examined, carbon stock for each DSC was also determine while basal area (m2 ha-1), volume (m3 ha-1), Biomass (Mg ha-1) and Carbon (Mg ha-1) were also estimated. Results showed mean Dbh of 18.7 + 0.25 cm with 8.14 + 0.10 m, 0.033 + 0.00 m2 ha-1 and 0.320 + 0.01 m3 ha-1 for tree height, basal area and volume respectively. AGB and BGB were 10.877 + 0.39 Mgha-1 and 2.175 + 0.08 Mgha-1 respectively while TC was 6.527 + 0.24 Mgha-1. The percentage carbon stock proportion for each DSC revealed class size 25-29-9 cm (19.02%) as the highest while the least proportion was observed in less than 5 cm class with 0.04% of carbon. The DSC showed majority of the tree Dbh in lower Dbh classes with fewer trees in higher classes forming almost a normal bell shape. The study provides information that can help the management in planning silvicultural activities and selective removal from the stand (harvesting schedule).  Tree Dbh, height, basal area, volume and biomass are the determinant characteristics for forest carbon assessment. In conclusion, the plantation actively sequesters carbon showing potentials for indigenous trees in climate change mitigation

Lake-size dependency of wind shear and convection as controls on gas exchange

High-frequency physical observations from 40 temperate lakes were used to examine the relative contributions of wind shear (u*) and convection (w*) to turbulence in the surface mixed layer. Seasonal patterns of u* and w* were dissimilar; u* was often highest in the spring, while w * increased throughout the summer to a maximum in early fall. Convection was a larger mixed-layer turbulence source than wind shear (u */w*-1 for lakes* and w* differ in temporal pattern and magnitude across lakes, both convection and wind shear should be considered in future formulations of lake-air gas exchange, especially for small lakes. © 2012 by the American Geophysical Union.Jordan S. Read, David P. Hamilton, Ankur R. Desai, Kevin C. Rose, Sally MacIntyre, John D. Lenters, Robyn L. Smyth, Paul C. Hanson, Jonathan J. Cole, Peter A. Staehr, James A. Rusak, Donald C. Pierson, Justin D. Brookes, Alo Laas, and Chin H. W

Mammalian alteration/deficiency in activation 3 (Ada3) is essential for embryonic development and cell cycle progression.

Ada3 protein is an essential component of histone acetyl transferase containing coactivator complexes conserved from yeast to human. We show here that germline deletion of Ada3 in mouse is embryonic lethal, and adenovirus-Cre mediated conditional deletion of Ada3 in Ada3(FL/FL) mouse embryonic fibroblasts leads to a severe proliferation defect which was rescued by ectopic expression of human Ada3. A delay in G(1) to S phase of cell cycle was also seen that was due to accumulation of Cdk inhibitor p27 which was an indirect effect of c-myc gene transcription control by Ada3. We further showed that this defect could be partially reverted by knocking down p27. Additionally, drastic changes in global histone acetylation and changes in global gene expression were observed in microarray analyses upon loss of Ada3. Lastly, formation of abnormal nuclei, mitotic defects and delay in G(2)/M to G(1) transition was seen in Ada3 deleted cells. Taken together, we provide evidence for a critical role of Ada3 in embryogenesis and cell cycle progression as an essential component of HAT complex

The sudden change phenomenon of quantum discord

Even if the parameters determining a system's state are varied smoothly, the behavior of quantum correlations alike to quantum discord, and of its classical counterparts, can be very peculiar, with the appearance of non-analyticities in its rate of change. Here we review this sudden change phenomenon (SCP) discussing some important points related to it: Its uncovering, interpretations, and experimental verifications, its use in the context of the emergence of the pointer basis in a quantum measurement process, its appearance and universality under Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics, its theoretical and experimental investigation in some other physical scenarios, and the related phenomenon of double sudden change of trace distance discord. Several open questions are identified, and we envisage that in answering them we will gain significant further insight about the relation between the SCP and the symmetry-geometric aspects of the quantum state space.Comment: Lectures on General Quantum Correlations and their Applications, F. F. Fanchini, D. O. Soares Pinto, and G. Adesso (Eds.), Springer (2017), pp 309-33

Oxidized LDL Receptor 1 (OLR1) as a Possible Link between Obesity, Dyslipidemia and Cancer

Recent studies have linked expression of lectin-like ox-LDL receptor 1 (OLR1) to tumorigenesis. We analyzed microarray data from Olr1 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice for genes involved in cellular transformation and evaluated effects of OLR1 over-expression in normal mammary epithelial cells (MCF10A) and breast cancer cells (HCC1143) in terms of gene expression, migration, adhesion and transendothelial migration. Twenty-six out of 238 genes were inhibited in tissues of OLR1 KO mice; the vast majority of OLR1 sensitive genes contained NF-κB binding sites in their promoters. Further studies revealed broad inhibition of NF-kB target genes outside of the transformation-associated gene pool, with enrichment themes of defense response, immune response, apoptosis, proliferation, and wound healing. Transcriptome of Olr1 KO mice also revealed inhibition of de novo lipogenesis, rate-limiting enzymes fatty acid synthase (Fasn), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (Scd1) and ELOVL family member 6 (Elovl6), as well as lipolytic phospholipase A2 group IVB (Pla2g4b). In studies comparing MCF10A and HCC1143, the latter displayed 60% higher OLR1 expression. Forced over-expression of OLR1 resulted in upregulation of NF-κB (p65) and its target pro-oncogenes involved in inhibition of apoptosis (BCL2, BCL2A1, TNFAIP3) and regulation of cell cycle (CCND2) in both cell lines. Basal expression of FASN, SCD1 and PLA2G4B, as well as lipogenesis transcription factors PPARA, SREBF2 and CREM, was higher in HCC1143 cells. Over-expression of OLR1 in HCC1143 cells also enhanced cell migration, without affecting their adherence to TNFα-activated endothelium or transendothelial migration. On the other hand, OLR1 neutralizing antibody inhibited both adhesion and transmigration of untreated HCC1143 cells. We conclude that OLR1 may act as an oncogene by activation of NF-kB target genes responsible for proliferation, migration and inhibition of apoptosis and de novo lipogenesis genes

Wind and trophic status explain within and among-lake variability of algal biomass: Variability of phytoplankton biomass

Phytoplankton biomass and production regulates key aspects of freshwater ecosystems yet its variability and subsequent predictability is poorly understood. We estimated within‐lake variation in biomass using high‐frequency chlorophyll fluorescence data from 18 globally distributed lakes. We tested how variation in fluorescence at monthly, daily, and hourly scales was related to high‐frequency variability of wind, water temperature, and radiation within lakes as well as productivity and physical attributes among lakes. Within lakes, monthly variation dominated, but combined daily and hourly variation were equivalent to that expressed monthly. Among lakes, biomass variability increased with trophic status while, within‐lake biomass variation increased with increasing variability in wind speed. Our results highlight the benefits of high‐frequency chlorophyll monitoring and suggest that predicted changes associated with climate, as well as ongoing cultural eutrophication, are likely to substantially increase the temporal variability of algal biomass and thus the predictability of the services it provides.Additional co-authors: E de Eyto, H Feuchtmayr, M Honti, V Istvánovics, C G McBride, S R Schmidt, D Seekell, P A Staehr, G Zh