Fuzzy-Logic based Effective Contour Representation of Occluded Objects

We present a fuzzy-based network for the sharpening of object contour even in the presence of occlusion. The contour representation of objects can be effectively handled by the structure tensor method. This work proposes an occlusion detection and filling strategy using the square patch selection method. Based on the interpolation method, the fuzzy-assisted square patch selection can be used to fill the occluded pixels. Due to the occluded pixels, the depth map may have anomalies in the low-texture and high-exposure areas. Before converting a depth map to a point cloud, it is essential to filter out the outliers in the depth map to obtain a more accurate point cloud. To improve the precision of the depth map, improved occlusion detection and management procedures is required.The occlusion regions may be confirmed through belief propagation, which may produce noisy results in occluded regions, sharp objects, and object boundaries. We strived to build a model that differentiates the occluded pixels from others by exploiting sharp boundary transitions. We have used a stereo geometry structure to develop the required deep neural models to handle occlusion. We built the model by creating layers for every pipeline component and made it to learn the contour representation model using an adaptive fuzzy-based approach. In existing approaches, the bias must be properly predicted with the Gaussian distribution. The proposed model eradicated the pixel bleeding effect by exploiting the bimodal distribution with Gaussian and SMD (Stereo Mixture Density) functions and by finding smoothening bias.The suitable depth values were assigned to the occluded regions obtained. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed approach generates more stable depth maps with fewer constraints than the existing methods. The experimental results were compared with the standard SMD-Net and other state-of-the-art models

Greenhouse evaluation of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against Aphis craccivora (Das) on Fenugreek

The bioassay studies were carried out to determine the LC50 and LT50 of Beauveria bassiana against Aphis craccivora on fenugreek under greenhouse conditions. The results revealed that, the cumulative corrected mortality (CCM) was 43.50% at higher concentration (1×1010 spores/ml) and it was 20.85% at lowest concentration (1×104 spores/ml) at one day after treatment (DAT). The CCM decreased with decreasing conidial spore concentration. Likewise, at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 DAT, almost same trend was observed. At 7 DAT, the CCM was 85.04% and 55.21% at 1×1010 spores/ml and 1×104 spores/ml, respectively. The LC50 value of B. bassiana against A. craccivora was 1.2×108 spores/ml. Mean lethal time (LT50) values were worked out 73, 89, 97, 112, 126, 138 and 157 hours for 1010, 109, 108, 107, 106, 105 and 104 spores/ml, respectively. By testing the field efficacy of B. bassiana against A. craccivora, this insect pathogenic fungus can be used as potential biocontrol agent for the sustainable management of aphid in fenugreek crop

Fuzzy Logic Control Approach of a Maximum Power Point Employing SEPIC Converter for Standalone Photovoltaic System

AbstractThis paper presents a new fuzzy logic controller as a maximum power point tracker employing single-ended primary-inductor (SEPIC) converter. The new controller improves perturb and observe search method with rules to fuzzify and eliminate its drawbacks. An accurate and fast converging to maximum power point is offered by fuzzy logic tracker during both steady-state and varying weather conditions compared to conventional maximum power point tracking methods. The performance of the proposed maximum power point tracker is demonstrated in both simulation and experiment at different operating conditions

Bioefficacy of plant extracts on stem rot, Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid and Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua Walker in jute crop

In vitro study was conducted to test mycellial growth inhibition effect of plant extracts on Macrophomina phaseolina causing stem rot of jute as well as for feeding inhibition and mortality on 3rd instar larvae of Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua Walker. The result revealed, at 2000 ppm, acetone extracts of sunnhemp and Azeratum conyzoides exhibited maximum of 34.44% and 41.85% mycellial growth inhibition respectively. Whereas, 83.32% and 66.67% spore germination inhibition of the fungus was observed respectively. At 5000 ppm, methanolic extracts of Crotolaria quinquefolia, garlic, curry leaf and turmeric oil recorded 35.55%, 44.44%, 50.00% and 70.00% mycellial growth inhibition of the fungus. Methanolic extracts of C. juncea, C. quinquefolia, curry leaf and garlic recorded above 80.00% feeding inhibition on S. obliqua and larval mortality of 20.00%-44.44%. It is clear that neem, sunnhemp, garlic and turmeric extract possess antifungal, insecticidal, antifeedant properties and may be integrated for management of stem rot as well as S. obliqua in jute crop

Ukrain, a plant derived semi-synthetic compound, exerts antitumor effects against murine and human breast cancer and induce protective antitumor immunity in mice

Despite the recent advances in anti-cancer therapies, breast cancer accounts for the highest percentage of estimated new cases among female cancer patients. The anti-cancer drug Ukrain, a plant-derived semi-synthetic compound, has been shown to be effective in a variety of tumor models including colon, brain, ovarian, melanoma and lymphoma. However, the direct cytotoxic effects of Ukrain have yet to be investigated in breast cancer models. Aim: Herein, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity of Ukrain using murine (4T07 and TUBO) and human (SKBR-3) breast cancer cell lines. Methods: Cells were treated with varying concentrations of Ukrain for up to 72 h and analyzed for viability by trypan blue exclusion, apoptosis by intracellular caspase 3 and Annexin V staining, and proliferative potential by a clonogenic assay. Female BALB/c mice were challenged subcutaneously (s.c.) with 4T07-RG cells and administered 5 mg/kg or 12.5 mg/kg body weight Ukrain intravenously (i.v.) on the same day and 3 days later. Protective immune responses were determined following re-challenge of tumor-free mice 35 days post primary challenge. Results: Ukrain exposure induced apoptosis in a dose and time-dependent manner with 50 µg/mL Ukrain leading to >50% cell death after 48 h exposure for all three breast cancer cell lines. Ukrain administration (12.5 mg/kg) led to significant inhibition of 4T07 tumor growth in vivo and sustained protective anti-tumor immunity following secondary challenge. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic effects of Ukrain on breast cancer cells and may provide insight into designing Ukrain-based therapies for breast cancer patients

Non-functioning adrenocortical carcinoma requiring radical nephrectomy-case report with review of literature

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is rare malignancy of the adrenal gland and is the second most aggressive endocrine malignant disease after anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. These tumours can be detected very late as majority are non-functional, i.e., does not secrete any hormones, and only present with vague symptoms. Surgical management of such tumours can be challenging as it can invade the surrounding structures making it very difficult for resection. This is a case of a 61-year male with a large non-functioning adrenal tumour which appeared to be separate from the kidney in the radiological imaging but was found stuck to the renal parenchyma posing a dilemma for the operating team

Influence of non-MHC genes on lymphocyte response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens and tuberculin status in Pulmonary tuberculosis

Background & objectives : Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are known to influence the immune functions. In the present study, the influence of non-MHC genes such as mannose binding protein (MBP), vitamin D receptor (VDR) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-IRA) gene polymorphisms on lymphocyte response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate antigen (10 μg/ml) was studied in 44 patients with active pulmonary TB and the family contacts (35) and in 32 normal healthy subjects. The influence of these gene polymorphisms on tuberculin (1TU of PPD of M. tuberculosis) reactivity status in 146 pulmonary TB patients was also studied. Methods : The MBP and VDR genes were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotyping was carried out using sequence specific oligonucleotide probes by dot blot and IL-1RA by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results : A significantly decreased lymphocyte response to M. tuberculosis antigen was seen in pulmonary TB patients positive for functional mutant homozygotes of MBP (00) compared to heterozygote carriers (AO; P<0.02) and wild homozygotes (AA; P<0.01). The variant mutant genotype (tt) of VDR gene was associated with an increased lymphocyte response in control subjects compared to active TB patients with tt genotype (P<0.05). Heterozygote carriers of MBP (AO) were associated with a significantly (P<0.001) decreased tuberculin reactivity compared to wild homozygotes (AA). The VDR genotype Tt (heterozygote carrier) was associated with an increased tuberculin reactivity in female TB patients as compared to male patients (P<0.001). Interpretation & conclusions : The present study suggested that MBP and VDR genes influence the cell mediated immune response in pulmonary TB patients. Non-MHC genes along with HLA-Class II genes/gene products may be playing an immunoregulatory role in the mechanism of susceptibility/resistance to tuberculosis

Influence of HLA-DR2 phenotype on humoral immunity & lymphocyte response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate antigens in pulmonary tuberculosis

Association of HLA-DR2 genes/gene products has been shown with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients in India. In the present study, the influence of HLA-DR2 and non-DR2 genes/gene products on immunity to tuberculosis has been studied. Plasma samples of -DR2 positive patients (active and inactive TB) showed a higher antibody titre to Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate antigens than non-DR2 (-DR2 negative) patients. Immunoblot analysis revealed a trend towards an increased percentage of DR2 positive patients recognizing 38, 32/34 and 30/31 kDa antigens of M. tuberculosis than DR2 negative patients. A low spontaneous lymphoproliferative response (without antigen stimulation) was seen in HLA-DR2 positive active TB patients than HLA-DR2 negative patients. However, the antigen stimulated lymphocyte response was higher in the -DR2 positive patients (active and inactive TB) when compared to non-DR2 patients. Further, an inversional correlation between antibody titre and spontaneous as well as antigen induced lymphocyte response (measured by 3H thymidine uptake and expressed as counts per minute) was seen in HLA-DR2 positive active PTB patients than non-DR2 patients. The present study suggests that HLA-DR2 genes/gene products may be associated with a regulatory role in the mechanism of disease susceptibility to tuberculosis. The genes while augmenting the humoral immune response, they suppress the spontaneous and antigen induced lymphocyte response in -DR2 positive patients with active disease. Key words Antigen recognition - HLA-DR2-antibody titre - lymphocyte response - Mycobacteriu

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies & immunity in pulmonary tuberculosis

To understand whether the presence of cold reactive lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCA) (reactive at 15°C) in the system has any effect on immunity to tuberculosis lymphocytotoxic antibodies to adherent cells (enriched-B ceils) and non-adherent cells were studied in active-TB (n=42) and inactive-TB (cured) patients (n=49) and healthy controls (n=32). The plasma samples of inactive-TB patients showed higher percentage of positivity for lymphocytotoxic antibodies (36.7%) than the active-TB patients (21.4%) and control subjects (18.8%). No significant difference on antibody and lymphocyte response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate antigens was observed between LCA positive and LCA negative active-TB patients and normal healthy controls. Further, determinationof HLA-DR phenotype of the patients and control subjects showed that individuals positive for lymphocytotoxic antibodies were more among HLA-DR2 positive and DR7 positive active-TB patients and control subjects than non-DR2 and non-DR7 subjects. The present study suggests that the cold reactive lymphocytotoxic antibodies may be against B-lymphocytes and persistent for a longer time. HLA-DR2 and -DR7 may be associated with the occurrence of LCA activity. Further, the presence of LCA has no immunoregulatory role on immunity to tuberculosis