A probabilistic fusion framework for 3-D reconstruction using heterogeneous sensors

This letter proposes a framework to perform 3-D reconstruction using a heterogeneous sensor network, with potential use in augmented reality, human behavior understanding, smart-room implementations, robotics, and many other applications. We fuse orientation measurements from inertial sensors, images from cameras and depth data from Time of Flight sensors within a probabilistic framework in a synergistic manner to obtain robust reconstructions. A fully probabilistic method is proposed to efficiently fuse the multi-modal data of the system

Species Composition and Population Dynamics of Thrips (Thysanoptera) in Mango Orchards of Northern Peninsular Malaysia

Thrips are key pests of mango, Mangifera indica (L.), in Malaysia, including the Northern Peninsular. As Penang has year-round equatorial climate and high of rainfall, the populations of thrips may be subject to variations in composition and size. With a goal of developing an appropriate control strategy, a survey was conducted in Penang to determine species composition and abundance in relation to some environmental factors. Sprayed and unsprayed orchards were sampled on weekly basis through two ßowering seasons of 2009 using CO2 collection technique. Larval population falling into the ground to pupate and adults emerging from the soil were investigated in both orchards. Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan) and Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) were the most prevalent species in the sprayed and the unsprayed orchards, respectively. The abundance of thrips was high during the ßowering period of the dry season and decreased during the ßowering period of the rainy season. This latter period coincided with decreased temperature and increased relative humidity. Percentage of adult emergence from the soil was lower in the rainy season than recorded in the dry season in both orchards. Taken together, these observations suggest that T. hawaiiensis and S. dorsalis are the main thrips species pests of mango panicles in Penang. Direct control with insecticides focusing on these two species may help to reduce cosmetic injuries and other damages on mango fruits

Effects of Ramadan fasting on serum low-density and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the status of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in human subjects during Ramadan fasting. Fasting during Ramadan (one month of food and water intake restricted only to night hours) is a religious obligation for Muslims. There are biochemical effects of changes in lifestyle during Ramadan. This report is a study of the effects of Ramadan fasting on the serum LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations. Subjects and methods: The study group consisted of 83 volunteers comprising 57 males (aged 21-55, mean 34.25±9.81 years) and 26 females (aged 20-58, mean 34.58±8.94 years). A regimen of one month of food and water intake restricted only to night hours was followed by the subjects. Subjects were evaluated one week before Ramadan fasting (pre-RF), two weeks after the start of Ramadan fasting (mid-RF), and at the fourth week of Ramadan fasting (end-RF). Serum specimens were obtained from subjects during daylight hours. Measurement of LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were performed using a spectrophotometer. Results: Our results showed statistically significant reduction of the LDL-cholesterol concentrations in mid-Ramadan and end of Ramadan compared to concentration levels before Ramadan. Also, the results showed statistically significant elevation in the HDL-cholesterol concentrations in mid-Ramadan and end of Ramadan compared to levels before Ramadan. Conclusion: The findings suggest the potential usefulness of Ramadan fasting in the restriction of fat intake which is associated with further lowering of serum cholesterol. These findings should influence future studies on hyperlipidemia

The and Lactic Acid Bacteria Probiotics Influences Intestinal Mucin Gene Expression, Histomorphology and Growth Performance in Broilers

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of commercial monostrain and multistrain probiotics in diets on growth performance, intestinal morphology and mucin gene (MUC2) expression in broiler chicks. Three hundred seventy-eight 1-d-old male Arian broiler chicks were allocated in 3 experimental groups for 6 wk. The birds were fed on a corn-soybean based diet and depending on the addition were labeled as follows: control-unsupplemented (C), birds supplemented with Bacillus subtilis (BS) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) based probiotics. Each treatment had 6 replicates of 21 broilers each. Treatment effects on body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and biomarkers such as intestinal goblet cell density, villus length, villus width, and mucin gene expression were determined. Total feed intake did not differ significantly between control birds and those fed a diet with probiotics (p>0.05). However, significant differences in growth performance were found. Final body weight at 42 d of age was higher in birds fed a diet with probiotics compared to those fed a diet without probiotic (p<0.05). Inclusion of Bacillus subtilis based probiotic in the diets also significantly affected feed conversion rate (FCR) compared with control birds (p<0.05). No differences in growth performance were observed in birds fed different types of probiotic supplemented diets. Inclusion of lactic acid bacteria based probiotic in the diets significantly increased goblet cell number and villus length (p<0.05). Furthermore, diets with Bacillus subtilis based probiotics significantly increased gene expression (p<0.05), with higher intestinal MUC2 mRNA in birds fed diet with probiotics compared to those fed the control diet. In BS and LAB probiotic fed chicks, higher growth performance may be related to higher expression of the MUC2 gene in goblet cells and/or morphological change of small intestinal tract. The higher synthesis of the mucin gene after probiotic administration may positively affect bacterial interactions in the intestinal digestive tract, intestinal mucosal cell proliferation and consequently efficient nutrient absorption