Adpative image interpolation

Simple interpolation techniques like nearest neighbor, bilinear, bicubic in the past had gained popularity due to their simplicity and low computational cost. But with the advent of high performing machines, demand for better interpolation methods at the expense of their computational complexity has arised. In this endeavor, myriads of interpolation methods have been introduced. Some of which are based on edge intensity, curvature profile of image, fuzzy logic. While others are optimized for the particular needs like resistance to outliers, performance in real time basis etc. An extensive list of interpolation methods exists in literature. We have reviewed an adaptive interpolation technique based on Newton forward dierence. This difference provides a measure of goodness for grouping of pixels around the target pixel for interpolation

Kinetics of Inclusion Body Formation and Its Correlation with the Characteristics of Protein Aggregates in Escherichia coli

The objective of the research was to understand the structural determinants governing protein aggregation into inclusion bodies during expression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) and asparaginase were expressed as inclusion bodies in E.coli and the kinetics of aggregate formation was analyzed in details. Asparaginase inclusion bodies were of smaller size (200 nm) and the size of the aggregates did not increase with induction time. In contrast, the seeding and growth behavior of hGH inclusion bodies were found to be sequential, kinetically stable and the aggregate size increased from 200 to 800 nm with induction time. Human growth hormone inclusion bodies showed higher resistance to denaturants and proteinase K degradation in comparison to those of asparaginase inclusion bodies. Asparaginase inclusion bodies were completely solubilized at 2–3 M urea concentration and could be refolded into active protein, whereas 7 M urea was required for complete solubilization of hGH inclusion bodies. Both hGH and asparaginase inclusion bodies showed binding with amyloid specific dyes. In spite of its low β-sheet content, binding with dyes was more prominent in case of hGH inclusion bodies than that of asparaginase. Arrangements of protein molecules present in the surface as well as in the core of inclusion bodies were similar. Hydrophobic interactions between partially folded amphiphillic and hydrophobic alpha-helices were found to be one of the main determinants of hGH inclusion body formation. Aggregation behavior of the protein molecules decides the nature and properties of inclusion bodies

Prevalence, Clinico-Laboratory Features and Outcomes of Paediatric Scrub Typhus Cases in a Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern India: A prospective observational study

Objectives: Scrub typhus is the most common rickettsial disease in India, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and transmitted by chigger mites. Previously prevalent in South India, a resurgence of scrub typhus cases has recently affected Eastern India. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and describe the clinico-laboratory profile of scrub typhus in paediatric patients (1–12 years old) living in Eastern India. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from January to December 2019 at the Dr B C Roy Post Graduate Institute of Paediatric Sciences, Kolkata, India. All acute undifferentiated cases of febrile illness, in patients aged between 1–12 years, were tested using scrub typhus serology by ELISA. Demographic details, clinical features, laboratory findings, complications and treatment outcomes of these scrub typhus patients were extracted and analysed. Results: Out of 1,473 patients with acute febrile illness, 67 (4.5%) children were diagnosed with scrub typhus. The mean age of the selected patients was 5.22 ± 3.05 years, and the majority (64.2%) had been running a fever since the preceding 7–14 days. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting (43.3%) and abdominal pain (32.8%) were most frequently observed. Major clinical signs of scrub typhus were hepatomegaly (41.8%) and splenomegaly (31.3%). Complications were observed in 74.6% of patients, with thrombocytopenia (40.3%) and meningoencephalitis (29.9%) occurring more frequently. The case fatality rate of the study sample was 1.5%. Conclusion: Classical eschar was absent in three-fourth of the studied patients. Hence, this study advocates laboratory scrub typhus tests for all suspected cases in the endemic region (Eastern India). Prompt treatment with doxycycline and/or azithromycin could prevent complications such as thrombocytopenia/meningoencephalitis and reduce mortality

Effect of varietal performance on growth attributes and yields of lentil varieties under red and lateritic soil of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2013-14 and 2014-15 at Agriculture Farm of Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal to find out the varietal performance of different promising entries of lentil on growth attributes and yield. Tendifferent varieties viz. Subrata, Asha, Ranjan, HUL 57, BM 6, BM 7, PL 406, KLS 218, Moitree and PL 6 was studied in a randomized block design (RBD), replicated thrice. Different growth and yield attributes were measured in the experiment to find out the suitable variety of lentil for the red and lateritic soil zone of West Bengal. The lentil variety PL-406 showed maximum growth potentiality among the other varieties just followed by another long duration lentil variety KLS-218. The lentil variety PL406 showed maximum growth potentiality among the other varieties just followed by another long duration variety KLS 218. Highest grain yield was obtained from the variety Ranjan (789 kg ha-1 ) followed by the variety PL 406 (785 kg ha-1 ) and KLS 218 (783 kg ha-1 ) respectively. From the result of the present experiment, it can be concluded that the variety PL 406 gave maximum vegetative growth, whereas the variety Ranjan produce maximum yield and found most potential variety among other lentil varieties under red and lateritic soil of West Benga

Spectrum of uropathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern in diabetes mellitus patients at a tertiary care hospital in Odisha, India

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder involving almost all systems of body. Untreated or poorly treated Diabetics are susceptible to develop a series of complications responsible for raised morbidity and mortality. Diabetes Mellitus has a number of long term effects on the Genitourinary system. Urinary tract infections have long been recognised as a significant problem in patients with Diabetes Mellitus.Methods: Prospective observational study. Diabetic patients with culture positive UTI were included. Gestational diabetes, Immunocompromised patients and patients with congenital renal anatomical abnormalities were excluded.Results: Authors included 211 numbers of culture positive UTI among diabetic patients. Out of which, 65 were male and 146 were female. Maximum number of patients belong to 56-65 years age group. Escherichia coli was the predominant organism isolated. Gram positive organisms showed 100% sensitivity to Vancomycin and Linezolid. Gram negative organisms showed 100% sensitivity to Polymyxin B.Conclusions: Genitourinary tract infection is not an infrequent complication seen in diabetes patients. Most common causative organism and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern should be done in tertiary care hospital for a better antibiotic policy

Study of serum homocysteine level in cases of non-diabetic ischemic stroke

Background: Aim of the study was to measure serum homocysteine levels in non-diabetic ischemic stroke and to co-relate its significance with other risk factors of ischemic stroke. It was a case control study.Methods: The study was done in the Department of Medicine, VSS.I.M.S.A.R, Burla, Odisha. 42 patients of non-diabetic ischemic and 42 age and sex matched controls were included in the study. Adults above the age of 18 years who were non-diabetic presenting with first-ever ischemic stroke, confirmed by CT scan of brain were included. Diabetic patients, haemorrhagic stroke, suspected embolic stroke, patients on vitamin supplementations, chronic usage of phenytoin were excluded. Routine investigations, fasting serum lipid profile and serum homocysteine levels were done.Results: Mean serum homocysteine level in ischemic stroke patients were found to be much higher (25.83 micro mol/L) in comparison to control group (9.77 micro mol/L) which is statistically significant. Mean serum homocysteine levels were found to be higher in patients with age group of more than 60 years, male sex, sedentary lifestyle, vegetarian diet, hypertensive patients and patient with normal fasting lipid profile. Statistical analysis for significance of difference was done using Chi-Square test with Yate’s correction.Conclusions: A statistically significant correlation was found between all the studied risk factors among non-diabetic patients and serum homocysteine levels. Estimation of serum homocysteine is advisable in all cases of non-diabetic ischemic strokes to know the prognosis

Clinico-laboratory profile of dengue patients in a tertiary hospital of Eastern India

Background: Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease of mankind. According to WHO, about 50-100 million new dengue infections are estimated to occur annually in more than 100 endemic countries.So, the present study has been done to analyzed varied clinical and laboratory profile of confirm dengue cases.Methods: Cross-sectional observational study was undertaken among 106 adult Ig M Ab positive cases admitted during October 2015 to September 2017. All patients were evaluated clinically and subjected for relevant laboratory investigations.Results: In our study male and female ratio was 20.2:1. Most common symptom was fever (95.3%) and least common was jaundice. Second most symptom was headache (70.8%). Myalgia was present in 49.1% of cases. 54.7% had nausea/vomiting. Hypotension was noticed in 33% of cases whereas encephalopathy and melaena was found in 6.6% and 2.83% respectively. Leucopenia was present in 57.5% and thrombocytopenia in 50.9% of cases.Conclusions: Younger male were commonly affected with dengue fever and promptly responded to conservative therapy due to early confirmation of diagnosis. Mortality was only 1.8% cases, may be due to delay in seeking medical attention

Paraspinal Transposition Flap for Reconstruction of Sacral Soft Tissue Defects: A Series of 53 Cases from a Single Institute

Study DesignCase series.PurposeTo describe paraspinal transposition flap for coverage of sacral soft tissue defects.Overview of LiteratureSoft tissue defects in the sacral region pose a major challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Goals of sacral wound reconstruction are to provide a durable skin and soft tissue cover adequate for even large sacral defects; minimize recurrence; and minimize donor site morbidity. Various musculocutaneous and fasciocutanous flaps have been described in the literature.MethodsThe flap was applied in 53 patients with sacral soft tissue defects of diverse etiology. Defects ranged in size from small (6 cm×5 cm) to extensive (21 cm×10 cm). The median age of the patients was 58 years (range, 16-78 years).ResultsThere was no flap necrosis. Primary closure of donor sites was possible in all the cases. The median follow up of the patients was 33 months (range, 4-84 months). The aesthetic outcomes were acceptable. There has been no recurrence of pressure sores.ConclusionsThe authors conclude that paraspinal transposition flap is suitable for reconstruction of large sacral soft tissue defects with minimum morbidity and excellent long term results

Intense violet–blue emission and paramagnetism of nanocrystalline Gd3+ doped ZnO ceramics

Nanocrystalline Zn1-xGdxO (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08) ceramics were synthesized by ball milling and subsequent solid-state reaction. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrograph of as synthesized samples revealed the formation of crystallites with an average diameter of 60 nm, and the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern confirmed the formation of wurtzite structure. A red shift in the band gap was observed with increasing Gd3+ concentration. The photoluminescence of nanocrystalline Gd3+ doped ZnO exhibited a strong violet–blue emission. Concentration dependence of the emission intensity of Gd3+ in ZnO was studied, and the critical concentration was found to be 4 mol% of Gd3+. The Gd3+ doped ZnO exhibited paramagnetic behavior at room temperature, and the magnetic moment increased with Gd3+ concentration

Dynamic stability of a nonlinear multiple-nanobeam system

We use the incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method to analyse the dynamic stability problem of a nonlinear multiple-nanobeam system (MNBS) within the framework of Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory. The nonlinear dynamic system under consideration includes MNBS embedded in a viscoelastic medium as clamped chain system, where every nanobeam in the system is subjected to time-dependent axial loads. By assuming the von Karman type of geometric nonlinearity, a system of m nonlinear partial differential equations of motion is derived based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and D’ Alembert’s principle. All nanobeams in MNBS are considered with simply supported boundary conditions. Semi-analytical solutions for time response functions of the nonlinear MNBS are obtained by using the single-mode Galerkin discretization and IHB method, which are then validated by using the numerical integration method. Moreover, Floquet theory is employed to determine the stability of obtained periodic solutions for different configurations of the nonlinear MNBS. Using the IHB method, we obtain an incremental relationship with the frequency and amplitude of time-varying axial load, which defines stability boundaries. Numerical examples show the effects of different physical and material parameters such as the nonlocal parameter, stiffness of viscoelastic medium and number of nanobeams on Floquet multipliers, instability regions and nonlinear amplitude–frequency response curves of MNBS. The presented results can be useful as a first step in the study and design of complex micro/nanoelectromechanical systems