Distribution of the likelihood ratio criterion for testing Σ = Σ0, μ = μ0

AbstractThe exact null distribution of the likelihood ratio criterion for testing H0: Σ = Σ0 and μ = μ0 against alternatives H1: Σ ≠ Σ0 or μ ≠ μ0 in Np(μ, Σ) has been obtained as (a) a chi-square series and (b) a beta series. Percentage points have been tabulated for p = 2(1) 6, α = .005, .01, .025, .05, .1, and .25 and various values of sample size N

JPEG2000-Based Semantic Image Compression using CNN

Some of the computer vision applications such as understanding, recognition as well as image processing are some areas where AI techniques like convolutional neural network (CNN) have attained great success. AI techniques are not very frequently used in applications like image compression which are a part of low-level vision applications. Intensifying the visual quality of the lossy video/image compression has been a huge obstacle for a very long time. Image processing tasks and image recognition can be addressed with the application of deep learning CNNs as a result of the availability of large training datasets and the recent advances in computing power. This paper consists of a CNN-based novel compression framework comprising of Compact CNN (ComCNN) and Reconstruction CNN (RecCNN) where they are trained concurrently and ideally consolidated into a compression framework, along with MS-ROI (Multi Structure-Region of Interest) mapping which highlights the semiotically notable portions of the image. The framework attains a mean PSNR value of 32.9dB, achieving a gain of 3.52dB and attains mean SSIM value of 0.9262, achieving a gain of 0.0723dB over the other methods when compared using the 6 main test images. Experimental results in the proposed study validate that the architecture substantially surpasses image compression frameworks, that utilized deblocking or denoising post- processing techniques, classified utilizing Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index Measures (SSIM) with a mean PSNR, SSIM and Compression Ratio of 38.45, 0.9602 and 1.75x respectively for the 50 test images, thus obtaining state-of-art performance for Quality Factor (QF)=5

NEBULIZED GLYCOPYRRONIUM AND FORMOTEROL, BUDESONIDE AEROSOL AERODYNAMIC ASSESSMENT WITH VIBRATING MESH AND COMPRESSOR AIR NEBULIZER: ANDERSON CASCADE IMPACTOR STUDY

Vibrating mesh nebulizers (VMN) demonstrate improved efficiency for delivery of inhaled aerosol solutions or suspensions as compared to compressor devices. The added advantages of compactness, portability and functioning as noise-free device makes them of incremental value in Home or Ambulatory settings while managing Severe Obstructive airway disease or delivery of maintenance medications in these cases. This further circumvents the need for multiple devices thereby further improving patient compliance and convenience while delivering acute or maintenance formulations including Glycopyrronium (GLY) and Formoterol (FRM)/Budesonide(BUD) nebulizing solution formulations. To further assess the clinical role and feasibility of FRM-BUD formulation delivery kinetics  with or without GLY nebulizing solution through VMN and jet  nebulizers for In- & outpatient settings, 2 comparative in-vitro lung deposition studies were carried out utilizing Anderson Cascade impactor at 30 L/min; deposited drug concentrations in different stages were suitably collected and estimated by HPLC. Post-hoc analyses with p<0.05 was considered statistically significant for intergroup differences on FRM/BUD and GLY delivered through VMN or Compressor devices.  The calculated mean fine particle dose for FRM & BUD delivered by VMN or jet nebulizer showed no statistical difference. However the mean fine particle fraction for BUD delivered by VMN was significantly better compared to jet nebulizer than that for FRM. The Residual volume at 10 mins was significantly higher with jet nebulizer. The optimal APSD for GLY nebulizing solution admixture with FRM/BUD suspension delivered through VMN and Jet nebulizer offers a clinically relevant strategy for High risk COPD cases in Acute or Home settings

Blockade of Mast Cell Activation Reduces Cutaneous Scar Formation

Damage to the skin initiates a cascade of well-orchestrated events that ultimately leads to repair of the wound. The inflammatory response is key to wound healing both through preventing infection and stimulating proliferation and remodeling of the skin. Mast cells within the tissue are one of the first immune cells to respond to trauma, and upon activation they release pro-inflammatory molecules to initiate recruitment of leukocytes and promote a vascular response in the tissue. Additionally, mast cells stimulate collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts, suggesting they may also influence scar formation. To examine the contribution of mast cells in tissue repair, we determined the effects the mast cell inhibitor, disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), on several parameters of dermal repair including, inflammation, re-epithelialization, collagen fiber organization, collagen ultrastructure, scar width and wound breaking strength. Mice treated with DSCG had significantly reduced levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1a, IL-1b, and CXCL1. Although DSCG treatment reduced the production of inflammatory mediators, the rate of re-epithelialization was not affected. Compared to control, inhibition of mast cell activity caused a significant decrease in scar width along with accelerated collagen re-organization. Despite the reduced scar width, DSCG treatment did not affect the breaking strength of the healed tissue. Tryptase b1 exclusively produced by mast cells was found to increase significantly in the course of wound healing. However, DSCG treatment did not change its level in the wounds. These results indicate that blockade of mast cell activation reduces scar formation and inflammation without further weakening the healed wound

Čvrste disperzije silimarina: Karakterizacija i utjecaj načina priprave na oslobađanje

The influence of preparation methodology of silymarin solid dispersions using a hydrophilic polymer on the dissolution performance of silymarin was investigated. Silymarin solid dispersions were prepared using HPMC E 15LV by kneading, spray drying and co-precipitation methods and characterized by FTIR, DSC, XRPD and SEM. Dissolution profiles were compared by statistical and model independent methods. The FTIR and DSC studies revealed weak hydrogen bond formation between the drug and polymer, while XRPD and SEM confirmed the amorphous nature of the drug in co-precipitated solid dispersion. Enhanced dissolution compared to pure drug was found in the following order: co-precipitation > spray drying > kneading methodology (p sušenje sprejom > metoda gnječenja (p < 0.05). Iz svih pripravaka oslobađanje je bilo sporije, bez obzira na metodu priprave. Pripravci dobiveni metodom koprecipitacije bili su stabilni, a oslobađanje silimarina iz njih bilo je 2,5 bolje u odnosu na čisti lijek

EXACT AND ASYMPTOTIC DISTRIBUTIONS OF SOME STATISTICS IN MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS

Abstract not availabl

A Study on Improvement of Solubility of Rofecoxib and its effect on Permeation of Drug from Topical Formulations

Rofecoxib, a practically insoluble cox-2 selective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent was subjected to improvement in solubility by preparing its binary mixtures with β cyclodextrin using various methods such as physical mixing, co-grinding, kneading with aqueous methanol and co-evaporation from methanol-water mixture. Characterization of the resulting binary mixtures by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies indicated partial amorphization of the drug in its binary mixtures. In vitro dissolution studies exhibited remarkable increase in rate and extent of dissolution of the drug from its complexes with β -cyclodextrin. Pure rofecoxib as well as its co-ground binary mixture were formulated as aqueous gels for topical application. In vitro skin permeation of rofecoxib from formulation containing rofecoxib-cyclodextrin complex was significantly higher (p<0.05) at 1, 2, 12, 18 and 24 hr as compared to formulation containing pure rofecoxib. This could be attributed to better solubility of binary mixture in the aqueous gel vehicle leading to greater concentration gradient between the vehicle and skin and hence higher flux of the drug

Nonnull distributions of some statistics associated with testing for the equality of two covariance matrices

The nonnull distribution of some statistics, used for testing [Sigma]1 = [Sigma]2 are obtained as mixtures of incomplete beta functions as well as mixtures of incomplete gamma functions. The introduction of the convergence factors and certain recurrence relations are useful in the computation of the power of the tests as well as computation of exact percentage points for tests of significance.Nonnull distributions hypergeometric functions of matrix argument zonal polynomial mixtures of beta functions and gamma functions