Deep Residual Adaptive Neural Network Based Feature Extraction for Cognitive Computing with Multimodal Sentiment Sensing and Emotion Recognition Process

For the healthcare framework, automatic recognition of patients’ emotions is considered to be a good facilitator. Feedback about the status of patients and satisfaction levels can be provided automatically to the stakeholders of the healthcare industry. Multimodal sentiment analysis of human is considered as the attractive and hot topic of research in artificial intelligence (AI) and is the much finer classification issue which differs from other classification issues. In cognitive science, as emotional processing procedure has inspired more, the abilities of both binary and multi-classification tasks are enhanced by splitting complex issues to simpler ones which can be handled more easily. This article proposes an automated audio-visual emotional recognition model for a healthcare industry. The model uses Deep Residual Adaptive Neural Network (DeepResANNet) for feature extraction where the scores are computed based on the differences between feature and class values of adjacent instances. Based on the output of feature extraction, positive and negative sub-nets are trained separately by the fusion module thereby improving accuracy. The proposed method is extensively evaluated using eNTERFACE’05, BAUM-2 and MOSI databases by comparing with three standard methods in terms of various parameters. As a result, DeepResANNet method achieves 97.9% of accuracy, 51.5% of RMSE, 42.5% of RAE and 44.9%of MAE in 78.9sec for eNTERFACE’05 dataset.  For BAUM-2 dataset, this model achieves 94.5% of accuracy, 46.9% of RMSE, 42.9%of RAE and 30.2% MAE in 78.9 sec. By utilizing MOSI dataset, this model achieves 82.9% of accuracy, 51.2% of RMSE, 40.1% of RAE and 37.6% of MAE in 69.2sec. By analysing all these three databases, eNTERFACE’05 is best in terms of accuracy achieving 97.9%. BAUM-2 is best in terms of error rate as it achieved 30.2 % of MAE and 46.9% of RMSE. Finally MOSI is best in terms of RAE and minimal response time by achieving 40.1% of RAE in 69.2 sec

Interference of phenol during quantification of a bacterial lipoprotein

Accurate protein estimation is an essential requirement for any biochemical investigation. The bacterial Braun liporotein (BLP) from E. coli (a Toll-2 receptor ligand) is purified via phenol extraction on the basis of selective extraction of the lipoprotein. The procedure leaves behind the major endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that acts through the related Toll-4 receptor. However, as low as 0.00001% of phenol carried over during lipoprotein isolation interferes in the Lowry’s method of protein estimation. A simple gel filtration on sephadex G-50 efficiently separates lipoproteins from phenol thereby avoiding inaccurate protein estimation of the lipoprotein content and making it suitable ligand for Toll-2 receptor.Keywords: Lipoproteins; Lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Lowry's method; Phenol interferenc

The great mimicker “Burkholderia cepacia”: A case of intra-abdominal abscesses

Burkholderia cepacia infections are underreported and often seen in immunocompromised or cystic fibrosis patients. We describe a case of intra-abdominal abscesses and bacteraemia due to Burkholderia cepacia in a non-cystic fibrosis patient. A middle aged farmer with uncontrolled diabetes presented with 1 month of fever, abdominal pain, anorexia and weight loss. Examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly. Imaging showed multiple abscesses in liver and spleen. Burkholderia cepacia grew in the blood cultures. Patient showed clinical and radiological resolution post treatment with meropenem and subsequently co-trimoxazole. Clinicians' awareness, targeted investigations and early therapeutic intervention are essential for diagnosis and management of Burkholderia cepacia infections

Phenotyping and Genotype × Environment Interaction of Resistance to Leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Rice

Rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis is one of the key foliage feeding insects of great concern throughout Asia as it results in significant yield losses. High visibility of damage is triggering farmers to apply toxic pesticides for its management. Therefore, it is vital to identify new stable sources of resistance for leaffolder. Phenotyping of 160 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of a cross between a resistant parent, W1263 and a susceptible parent, TN1 using a rapid field screening method for three seasons resulted in identification of nine RILs as stable sources of resistance to rice leaffolder. Phenotypic frequency distributions were found continuous indicating that the resistance is a quantitative trait governed by polygenes. Phenotypic data for three seasons were analyzed using Genotype and Genotype × Environment Interaction (GGE) analysis for identification of stable resistant lines. Additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis showed that 86.41% of the total sum of square of damaged leaf area was attributed to genotype (GEN) effect; 0.48% to environment (ENV) effects and 5.68% to genotype by environment (G × E) interaction effects. Damage area, damage score and leaf length showed very high broad-sense heritability across three environments. However, leaf width had low heritability indicating higher environment influence. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these 160 RILs and parents into five clusters based on resistant reaction. AMMI and GGE biplot analysis revealed that stable genotypes G8 (MP114) and G3 (MP108) with lower damage area and damage score can be utilized in developing cultivars with leaffolder resistance

Application of DSTATCOM for surplus power circulation in MV and LV distribution networks with single-phase distributed energy resources

Single-phase distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop photovoltaic arrays, are usually installed based on the need and affordability of clients without any regard to the power demand of the connected phase of a three-phase system. It might so happen that the power generation in a particular phase is more than its load demand. This may cause a reverse power flow in a particular phase, especially in a three-phase, four-wire distribution system. If now the load demand in the other two phases is more than their respective generations, then these two phases will see a forward power flow, while there will be a reverse power flow in the third phase. This will create severe unbalance in the upstream network. In this paper, a distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM) is used to circulate the excess generation from one phase to the others such that a set of balanced currents flow from or into the upstream network. Two different topologies of DSTATCOM are proposed in this paper for the low and medium voltage feeders. Two different power circulation strategies are developed for this purpose. Furthermore, a suitable feedback scheme is developed for each topology for power converter control. The performance of the proposed topologies and the control schemes for the DSTATCOM is evaluated through computer simulation studies using PSCAD/EMTDC

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Objective: To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020. Interventions: The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (n = 143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (n = 152), or no hydrocortisone (n = 108). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%). Results: After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (n = 137), shock-dependent (n = 146), and no (n = 101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Kulturelle und ökologische Triebkräfte der Pflanzenvielfalt in der Stadt Bengaluru, Indien

Social and cultural processes play key roles in shaping urban green spaces, enabling urban residents from diverse backgrounds to interact with and experience nature. A better understanding of biocultural diversity and cultural ecosystem services (ES) is, therefore, important to maintain the urban green infrastructure in rapidly growing megacities, particularly in developing countries where economic development takes precedence over green infrastructure. Alternate approaches based on traditional cultural practices and beliefs are being recognized as effective conservation strategies, including nature worship in sacred sites. In India, as in many parts of the world, sacred sites are known for their biological richness and cultural ES. Yet, analyses from urban sacred sites (USS) are largely missing. In this thesis, the connections between urban biodiversity, socio-cultural values and human well-being were explored in USS and slums of Bengaluru, an Indian megacity. First, the biodiversity and habitat functions of USS were assessed in relation to environmental variables for different plant groups (native vs. non-native, and cultivated vs. spontaneous). Most species were native (81%) and spontaneous in growth (51%). Results revealed that site variables (site type and site area) were key predictors of diversity patterns in USS, while urbanity parameters had limited influence on plant diversity. Second, species assemblages of different plant groups were assessed in USS in relation to biological and cultural features, and urban matrix parameters. Culturally relevant species with religious, medicinal and ornamental values, prevailed in the species pool (89%). Urban matrix parameters and size and type of sacred sites were related to differences in species assemblages. These results demonstrate the potential of USS in harbouring both native and culturally significant species that can support urban living in developing countries. Finally, the socio-cultural significance of plant species (both sacred and non-sacred) in enhancing livelihoods in slums was assessed. Again, culturally significant plants prevailed in the species pool. Slum residents identified a wide range of perceived ecosystem services that they received from plants in their neighbourhood including thermal regulation, nutrition, plant based medicine and spiritual well-being. Results highlight the potential of culturally significant plant species in providing an inclusive, inexpensive and sustainable approach towards poverty alleviation in cities, furthering a deeper understanding of the connections between people and nature. This thesis contributes towards novel insights and the development of new approaches, both representing important steps towards unraveling the connections between biodiversity, socio-cultural processes and human well-being, in an effort towards strengthening urban green infrastructure and making cities more sustainable.Soziale und kulturelle Prozesse spielen eine Schlüsselrolle bei der Gestaltung urbaner Grünräume, die es ermöglichen, die Stadtbewohnern mit unterschiedlichen Hintergründe mit der Natur zu interagieren und diese zuerleben. Ein besseres Verständnis der biokulturellen Vielfalt und der kulturellen Ökosystemdienstleistungen (ÖD) ist daher wichtig, um die städtische grüne Infrastruktur in schnell wachsenden Megastädten, insbesondere in Entwicklungsländern, zu erhalten. Alternative Ansätze, die auf traditionellen kulturellen Praktiken und Überzeugungen basieren, werden als wirksame Naturschutzstrategien anerkannt, einschließlich der Naturverehrung in heiligen Stätten. In Indien, wie in vielen Teilen der Welt, sind heilige Stätten für ihren biologischen Reichtum und ihre kulturellen ÖD bekannt. Dennoch fehlen weitestgehenden Analysen von urbanen heiligen Stätten (UHS). In dieser Arbeit wurden die Verbindungen zwischen städtischer Biodiversität, soziokulturellen Werten und menschlichem Wohlergehen in UHS und Slums von Bengaluru, einer indischen Megastadt, untersucht. Zunächst wurden die Biodiversitäts- und Habitatsfunktionen von UHS in Bezug auf Umweltvariablen für verschiedene Pflanzengruppen (nativ vs. nicht-nativ und kultiviert vs. spontan) bewertet. Die meisten Arten waren heimisch (81%) und spontan (51%) im Wachstum. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass Standort variablen (Standorttyp und Standortbereich) wichtige Prädiktoren der Diversitätsmuster bei UHS waren, während Urbanitätsparameter einen begrenzten Einfluss auf die Pflanzenvielfalt hatten. Zweitens wurden die Arten assoziationen verschiedener Pflanzengruppen in UHS in Bezug auf biologische und kulturelle Merkmale und urbane Matrixparameter bewertet. Kulturell relevante Arten mit religiösen, medizinischen und ornamentalen Werten dominierten im Artenpool (89%). Urbane Matrixparameter, die Größe und die Art der heiligen Stätten wurden mit Unterschied in den Artengemeinschaften in Verbindung gebracht. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen das Potenzial von UHS, die heimische und kulturellbedeutende Arten zubeherbergen, die das Leben in Städten der Entwicklungsländern unterstützen können. Schließlich wurde die soziokulturelle Bedeutung von Pflanzenarten (sowohl heiligen als auch nicht-heiligen) bei der Verbesserung der Lebensgrundlagen in Slums bewertet. Slumbewohner identifizierten eine breite Palette von wahrgenommenen Ökosystemleistungen, die sie von Pflanzen in ihrer Nachbarschaft erhielten, einschließlich der thermischen Regulierung, der Ernährung, der pflanzlichen Medizin und dem spirituellen Wohlbefinden. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen das Potenzial kulturell bedeutender Pflanzenarten, indem sie einen integrativen, kostengünstigen und nachhaltigen Ansatz zur Armutsbekämpfung in Städten bieten. Diese Arbeit trägt zu neuen Erkenntnissen und zur Entwicklung neuer Ansätze bei, um die grüne Infrastruktur der Städte zu stärken und Städte nachhaltiger zu machen

Automated Criteria Based Group Formation to Improve Team Performance

Group work has been extensively applied in universities for effective knowledge transfer. Currently, the groups are formed by random grouping, self�select grouping, and instructor-formed grouping. However, the existing approach of student group formation tend to result in ineffective and unproductive group work as the group members’ skills does not fully complement each other and gives an imbalance impact. Although there are methods in coping this redundancy such as selective appointment method whereas students are grouped based on distinctive skill, personality, and etc. However, this traditional method consumes time and energy as it requires manual effort

Street trees in Bangalore: Density , diversity, composition and distribution

Once renowned as India’s ‘‘gardencity’’, the fast growing southern Indian city of Bangalore is rapidly losing tree cover in public spaces including on roads. This study aims to study the distribution of street trees in Bangalore, to assess differences in tree density ,size and species composition across roads of different widths, and to investigate changes in planting practices overtime. A spatially stratified approach was used for sampling with 152transects of200m length distributed across wide roads (with awidthof24morgreater),mediumsizedroads(12–24m) and narrow roads(lessthan12m). We find thedensityofstreettrees inBangaloretobe lower thanmany otherAsiancities.Species diversity is high ,withthemostdominantspeciesaccountingforlessthan10%oftheoverallpopulation. Narrowroads,usuallyincongestedresidentialneighborhoods,havefewertrees,smallersizedtree species,andalowerspeciesdiversitycomparedtowideroads.Sincewideroadsarebeingfelledoftrees acrossthecityforroadwidening,thisimpliesthatBangalore’sstreettreepopulationisbeingselectively denudedofitslargesttrees.Oldertreeshaveamorediversedistributionwithseverallargesized species,whileyoungtreescomefromalessdiversespeciesset,largelydominatedbysmallstatured specieswithnarrowcanopies,whichhavealowercapacitytoabsorbatmosphericpollutants,mitigate urban heatislandeffects,stabilizesoil,preventgroundwaterrunoff,andsequestercarbon. This has serious implications for the city’s environmental and ecological health.These results highlighttheneed to protect large street trees on wide roads from treefelling, and to select an appropriate anddiversemix of largeandsmallsizedtreespeciesfornewplanting