International poverty projections

The authors investigate the methodology used in projections of international poverty - particularly those used in many World Bank documents. The methodology, as developed by Ahluwalia, Carter, and Chenery (1979) in an influential paper, is examined critically and subjected to sensitivity analysis. It was found that their projections of poverty are not robust to reasonable changes and improvements in the methodology; in some cases, even the projections'time trend is reversed. Thus, analysts and policymakers should treat such global forecasts of poverty with caution.Economic Theory&Research,Achieving Shared Growth,Economic Conditions and Volatility,Inequality,Environmental Economics&Policies

A Grid-connected Hybrid Renewable Energy System Using High-frequency Multi-winding Transformer and Phase Shift Modulation Technique

This paper presents a topology of multi-port phase-shift converter for integration of a PV system, a wind-turbine generator and a battery to supply a grid-connected domestic load. The main advantage of the topology is using a multi-winding high-frequency transformer to couple the input and outputs of the system. This simplifies the power flow control and provides isolation between the converter ports. Detailed operation of the proposed topology and the control system analysis are discussed. A numerical simulation of the proposed system is carried out to confirm the system operation and control technique

Registration of Airborne Infrared Images using Platform Attitude Information

In current warfare scenario stealth and passive threat detection capabilities are considered as prime requirements to accomplish desired mission by the fighter aircrafts. To improve the stealth of an aircraft, the trend is towards detecting threats with the help of passive sensors (Electro Optic or Infrared). Current situation caters for systems like Infra-red Search and Track (IRST) and Passive Missile Warning Systems (PMWS). IRST system is a passive target detection system, used for detecting aerial & ground targets. PMWS is a threat detection system used for detecting missiles approaching towards aircraft. Both of these systems detect targets of interest by processing IR images acquired in mid-IR region. The prime challenge in IRST system or PMWS is detecting a moving target of size typically 1~2 pixels in acquired image sequences. The temporal change caused by moving target in consecutive frames can be considered as one important factor to detect them. The temporal change caused by moving target is identified through absolute frame differencing of successive frames. This principle has limitation in application to IRST & PMWS as the imaging sensor with the aircraft is moving. This motion also imparts temporal change in the acquired images. In this paper authors are proposing a method for removing the temporal change caused by the platform motion in two consequently acquired frames using registration process.  The proposed method uses the platform attitude information at frame sampling times. Authors have analyzed the sensitivity of registration process to noisy platform attitude information.Defence Science Journal, 2014, 64(2), pp. 130-135. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.546

Evaluation of a novel immuno-magnetic assay technology for rapid detection of dengue NS1 antigen

Background: Serological diagnosis of dengue fever is based on the detection of NS1 antigen and further confirmed by the assay of dengue IgM and IgG. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are no longer recommended for use by the Government of India. However, there is a requirement of rapid results without compromising on the test quality. Accordingly, we undertook an evaluation of a novel cartridge-based system employing a unique table-top diagnostic device for dengue NS1 antigen by BluSense Diagnostics incorporating a patented Immuno-Magnetic Assay (IMA).Methods: A total of 309 samples were tested on unlinked anonymous basis. Each sample was tested using NS1 Ag ELISA (Microlisa, J. Mitra), ViroTrack and NS1 RDT (SD Alere) and results were recorded. Discordant samples were further tested by dengue NS1 AG ELISA (Panbio) and dengue IgG/IgM Maclisa (J. Mitra).Results: When compared with approved ELISA kits used globally the Virotrack test returned a sensitivity of 94.74%; specificity of 97.44%; PPV of 97.30%; NPV of 95% and accuracy of 96.10%. Hourly throughput is 5-6 samples.Conclusions: The Virotrack system is highly suitable as a POCT module in HCFs with low to moderate workload that employs novel technology, is rapid, user friendly and comparable to the ELISA in sensitivity and specificity. The equipment is user friendly and can work both on plasma/serum and whole blood. Model with multiple modules (3-4) will improve the throughput and turnaround time. Evaluation of this novel technology has been done in India for the first time

Analgorithmic Framework for Automatic Detection and Tracking Moving Point Targets in IR Image Sequences

Imaging sensors operating in infrared (IR) region of electromagnetic spectrum are gaining importance in airborne automatic target recognition (ATR) applications due to their passive nature of operation. IR imaging sensors exploit the unintended IR radiation emitted by the targets of interest for detection. The ATR systems based on the passive IR imaging sensors employ a set of signal processing algorithms for processing the image information in real-time. The real-time execution of signal processing algorithms provides the sufficient reaction time to the platform carrying ATR system to react upon the target of interest. These set of algorithms include detection, tracking, and classification of low-contrast, small sized-targets. Paper explained a signal processing framework developed to detect and track moving point targets from the acquired IR image sequences in real-time.Defence Science Journal, Vol. 65, No. 3, May 2015, pp.208-213, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.65.816

Ultrasonographic evaluation of pelvic pain in first trimester of pregnancy: a prospective study

Background: Early and accurate diagnosis of the cause of pelvic pain in first trimester of pregnancy is essential for appropriate clinical decision making thereby enabling correct and timely management. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of ultrasonography in evaluation various causes of pelvic pain in the first trimester of pregnancy and correlate the imaging findings with clinical/per-operative findings. Methods: This was a prospective observational study approved by the Institutional Review Board and conducted from November 2016 to March 2018. 67 patients with pelvic pain in their first trimester, attending the antenatal clinic or OBG emergency underwent pelvic ultrasonography and the findings were correlated with clinical/per-operative findings. Results: Ectopic pregnancies formed the largest individual group comprising of 45 (67.2%) cases of the total study population followed by spontaneous abortion 5(7.5%). Other causes included subchorionic haemorrhage, ovarian torsion, uterine fibroid, simple/haemorrhagic/dermoid cyst of ovary and acute appendicitis. 4 (6%) patients had normal intrauterine pregnancy. Conclusions: Ultrasonography has high diagnostic accuracy of 94% and 100% sensitivity for detecting the cause of first trimester pelvic pain