Prototyping A 3D Reconstruction of Fly Photoreceptors: From Traditional Computer Vision Techniques to 3D Visualization

The Drosophila fruit fly is a well-established model organism for studying vision and neural perception. In this research, we focused on segmenting and analyzing photoreceptor cells in the Drosophila retina, specifically rhabdomeres. To facilitate our study, we acquired a comprehensive 3D dataset of Drosophila retina EM images and developed an automated segmentation pipeline using computer vision techniques. We evaluated the performance of our pipeline using automated metrics on Wild Type CS 1 and Nina D1 Mutant Drosophila datasets and prototyped a 3D model of segmented cells. The generated segmentation masks and 3D models of photoreceptor cells contribute to a better understanding of Drosophila vision and neural perception, and may have implications for further studies in developmental biology, and neurobiology

Urachal Xanthogranuloma: A Rare but Important Case Presenting as a Urachal Mass

BACKGROUND: A urachal mass is a relatively rare presentation to the urologists\u27 practice, often requiring radical surgical excision for a definitive diagnosis. Xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the urachus is an extremely rare entity with few cases reported worldwide, and to the best of our knowledge, no cases reported in the western world. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case, a 55-year-old male patient presented with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms and computed tomography findings demonstrating a urachal mass that was worrisome for urachal carcinoma. Following surgical intervention, histopathology revealed urachal xanthogranuloma. Post-operatively, the patient recovered well, and eventually, he had symptomatic and radiologic improvement. CONCLUSION: This case brings awareness to a rare presentation of a urachal mass-urachal xanthogranuloma. While operative intervention was both diagnostic and therapeutic, we highlight the challenge in differentiating between benign and malignant processes for urachal masses. Herein, we show the importance of including urachal xanthogranuloma in the differential diagnosis of a urachal mass to prevent further morbidity associated with the treatment of this disease

Modulation of cerebral malaria by curcumin as an adjunctive therapy

AbstractCerebral malaria is the most severe and rapidly fatal neurological complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection and responsible for more than two million deaths annually. The current therapy is inadequate in terms of reducing mortality or post-treatment symptoms such as neurological and cognitive deficits. The pathophysiology of cerebral malaria is quite complex and offers a variety of targets which remain to be exploited for better therapeutic outcome. The present review discusses on the pathophysiology of cerebral malaria with particular emphasis on scope and promises of curcumin as an adjunctive therapy to improve survival and overcome neurological deficits

DISCRETE CHARACTERIZATION OF COHESION IN GAS-SOLID FLOWS

Fluidization and the transport of solid particles either by gravity or by pneumatic means are used in a variety of industrial operations,including fluid catalytic cracking, fluid hydroforming and solid fuel processes such as coal gasification and liquefaction [1]. Despite the fact that a sizeable portion of gas-solid flows are cohesive in nature, the mechanics of cohesive flowing gas-particle systems is still poorly understood, and manipulation/control of the flow variables is still largely done on a trial-and-error basis.Cohesive forces between grains can arise from a variety of sources --such as liquid bridge (capillary) forces, van der Waals forces, orelectrostatic forces -- and may play a significant role in theprocessing of fine and/or moist powders. While recent advances havebeen made in our understanding of liquid-induced cohesion in quasi-static systems at the macroscopic level [2,3], in general, it is still not possible to directly connect this macroscopic understanding of cohesion with a microscopic picture of the particle properties and interaction forces. Moreover, conventional theories on gas-solid flows, make no attempt to distinguish between these modes of cohesion, despite clear qualitative differences (lubrication forces in wet systems or electrostatic repulsion are two good examples).In this work, we extend the previous work on discrete characterization tools of wet granular flows [4], using computations of gas-solid flows, in order to examine the transition from non-cohesive (dry) to cohesive (wet) behavior in gas-solid systems. Gas velocity and bridging liquid surface tension are varied to explore a range of the possible fluidization parameter space and a characterization criterion based on the the physical picture of liquid-induced particle-level cohesion is developed for gas-solid flows. Cohesion between wet particles has been modeled using the concept of liquid bridges. The characterization tool developed, namely the Granular Capillary Number, is tested by measuring both the minimum fluidization velocity as well as the mixing rate in fluidized systems. The systems explored here are traditionally thought to be cohesive but a marked difference is observed as the Granular Capillary Number changes

Ureteroscopy Under Conscious Sedation: A Proof-of-Concept Study

INTRODUCTION: Ureteroscopy (URS) is commonly performed under general anesthesia (GA) to maximize patient tolerability and minimize surgical complications; however, given the improvements in endoscopic technology and risks associated with GA, alternate forms of anesthesia have been postulated. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of URS under conscious sedation. METHODS: We completed a retrospective cohort study from November 2019 to June 2020 at a tertiary-level hospital. All URSs that were performed under urologist-directed conscious sedation were included. Our primary outcome was the ability to complete URS, defined as success rate. Secondary outcomes included: stone-free rate, intraoperative complication rate, hospital admission rate, and sedation requirement. Univariate- and multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses were employed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine URSs were included. Most (73/99, 73.7%) were performed for urolithiasis. The overall success rate was 83.8% (83/99), with 81.0% (34/42) intra-renal and 70.0% (16/23) proximal ureter success rates. The stone-free rate was 80.8% (59/73). No intraoperative complications nor hospital admissions were reported. The mean amount of sedation required was 3 mg (interquartile range [IQR] 2-4] of midazolam and 100 μg (100-150) of fentanyl. On multivariate analysis, midazolam was significantly associated with increased success (odds ratio 2.496, 95% confidence interval 1.057-5.892, p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that proximal and intrarenal URS under conscious sedation is safe and effective. We were limited by our lack of followup, small sample size, selection bias to chose healthy patients, and lack of patient tolerability data. Patients and healthcare systems may benefit from implementing this innovation more broadly

MODBUS Protocol for Reading Parameter of AC Drive

This research paper is aimed for reading the parameters of AC Drive by using MODBUS Protocol. This communication protocol is used for Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and this PLC is handling by controller. Hence in this we have checked and observed the parameters of AC Drive by PIC controller with Docklight Software. Here, Docklight software works exactly as AC Drive to read parameters by MODBUS Protocol. MODBUS module is a TTL to RS485 converter Module

Do You Want To Be a Urologist? Gender Differences for Medical Student Perception of Urology

INTRODUCTION: Gender inequality has been prevalent in the history of medicine, specifically within surgical specialties. Though there have been advances, urology has remained overwhelmingly male-dominant, with slow growth in female recruitment. This survey study evaluated whether gender-related differences in the perception of urology are present among future applicants that could account for gender disparity seen in recruitment. METHODS: An anonymized, online survey was distributed to medical students enrolled at the Max Rady College of Medicine during the 2022-2023 semester. Attracting and deterring survey statements were created using current literature to guide topics of interest. Participants rated each statement using a five-point Likert scale with optional supplemental qualitative responses. Likert ratings were compared using a Mann-U-Whitney calculation between self-identifying male and female participants. RESULTS: We received 90 responses over six weeks, achieving a response rate of 23%. Female students, compared to their male peers, were deterred by factors such as working in a male-dominated specialty (p CONCLUSIONS: In this survey study, the biggest deterrents reported by female medical students to entering urology were working in a male-dominated profession and seeing primarily male patients. There were no significant gender-related differences for questions relating to interest in surgery, work-life balance, and exposure to urology