Towards Benchmarking Scene Background Initialization

Given a set of images of a scene taken at different times, the availability of an initial background model that describes the scene without foreground objects is the prerequisite for a wide range of applications, ranging from video surveillance to computational photography. Even though several methods have been proposed for scene background initialization, the lack of a common groundtruthed dataset and of a common set of metrics makes it difficult to compare their performance. To move first steps towards an easy and fair comparison of these methods, we assembled a dataset of sequences frequently adopted for background initialization, selected or created ground truths for quantitative evaluation through a selected suite of metrics, and compared results obtained by some existing methods, making all the material publicly available.Comment: 6 pages, SBI dataset, SBMI2015 Worksho

A case report of recalcitrant non union humerus treated with on lay fibular bone grafting and locking compression plate

Nonunion of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus are frequently seen in clinical practice (incidence of up to 15% in certain studies) and osteosynthesis using dynamic compression plates, intra medullary nails and Ilizarov fixators have been reported previously. Locking compression plates (LCP) are useful in the presence of disuse osteoporosis, segmental bone loss and cortical defects that preclude strong fixation. Fixation using a compression plate and a non-vascularised fibular graft achieves good outcome for infected non-union of the humerus despite prior multiple failed surgeries. We report a failed case of fracture shaft humerus which was operated three times, first with DCP and next two times with DCP and autologous cancellous bone graft from iliac crest. The patient is now treated with LCP and on lay fibular bone grafting

A Routing Delay Predication Based on Packet Loss and Explicit Delay Acknowledgement for Congestion Control in MANET

In Mobile Ad hoc Networks congestion control and prevention are demanding because of network node mobility and dynamic topology. Congestion occurs primarily due to the large traffic volume in the case of data flow because the rate of inflow of data traffic is higher than the rate of data packets on the node. This alteration in sending rate results in routing delays and low throughput. The Rate control is a significant concern in streaming applications, especially in wireless networks. The TCP friendly rate control method is extensively recognized as a rate control mechanism for wired networks, which is effective in minimizing packet loss (PL) in the event of congestion. In this paper, we propose a routing delay prediction based on PL and Explicit Delay Acknowledgement (EDA) mechanism for data rate and congestion control in MANET to control data rate to minimize the loss of packets and improve the throughput. The experiment is performed over a reactive routing protocol to reduce the packet loss, jitter, and improvisation of throughput

Water-saving Rice Production Technologies in Krishna Western Delta Command of Andhra Pradesh – An Economic Analysis

The economic analysis of water-saving rice production technologies, viz. system of rice intensification (SRI), semi-dry and rotational irrigation vis-à-vis farmers’ practice has been carried out based on the study executed in Modukuru pilot area of Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Among the three water-saving rice production technologies analyzed, the total cost of cultivation has been recorded highest in SRI (Rs 58645/ha), followed by rotational (Rs 47140/ha) and semi-dry (Rs 39321/ha). But, the per hectare yield has been found highest in SRI (6.85 t), followed by semi-dry (6.66 t) and rotational (6.2 t), inferring that all the three technologies have recorded higher yields over farmers’ practice of 5.5 t/ha. However, the net returns and B-C ratio are maximum in semi-dry (Rs 43,484/ha; 1.11), followed by rotational (Rs 30,085; 0.64) and SRI (Rs 26,466/ha; 0.45) methods. Similarly, the water-use efficiency has been found highest in SRI (8.53 kg/ ha-mm), followed by semi-dry (8.02 kg/ha-mm) and rotational (7.33 kg/ ha-mm) methods, while the water-use efficiency benefit (Rs/ha-mm) has been recorded maximum in semi-dry (52.39), followed by SRI (42.08) and rotational (35.56) methods. With the initiation of Andhra Pradesh Water Management Project, Bapatla, the area under semi-dry rice cultivation has been found increasing over a period of four years, from 0.6 ha in 2004-2005 to 22 ha in 2007 -2008.Agricultural and Food Policy,

New Experimental Limit on the Electric Dipole Moment of the Electron in a Paramagnetic Insulator

We report results of an experimental search for the intrinsic Electric Dipole Moment (EDM) of the electron using a solid-state technique. The experiment employs a paramagnetic, insulating gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) that has a large magnetic response at low temperatures. The presence of the eEDM would lead to a small but non-zero magnetization as the GGG sample is subject to a strong electric field. We search for the resulting Stark-induced magnetization with a sensitive magnetometer. Recent progress on the suppression of several sources of background allows the experiment to run free of spurious signals at the level of the statistical uncertainties. We report our first limit on the eEDM of $(-5.57 \pm 7.98 \pm 0.12)\times$10$^{-25}$e$\cdot$cm with 5 days of data averaging.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, Revtex 4.

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES FOR IMPROVED EFFICACY OF ITRACONAZOLE ANTIFUNGAL DRUG

Objective: The main objective of the study was to formulate and evaluate the chitosan nanoparticles to improve the therapeutic efficacy of itraconazole by loading in nanoparticle drug delivery system. Designing the formulation of the drug itraconazole prolongs the therapeutic concentration of the drug in the blood and which will lower the frequency of dosing and also improves the efficacy of the drug. Methods: Itraconazole nanoparticles are prepared by ionic gelation method; here, chitosan is used as polymer. The formulated nanoparticles are evaluated for external morphological studies by scanning electron microscope (SEM), drug content, in vitro drug release studies, as well as infrared (IR) spectral analysis. Results: The Fourier transform IR spectra show that there was no interaction between drug and polymers; hence, they are compatible. Percentage entrapment efficiency, drug content, and percentage yield were higher for F3 formulation. The particle size analysis shows that every particle in the formulations gave the range of 148–227 nm, respectively; increasing in the particle size observed with varying concentration of polymer. SEM analysis of the nanoparticles shows that all the formulations were spherical and smooth with ideal surface morphology. As the concentration of polymer, the drug release decreased proportionally. The stability studies were carried out on the optimized formulation for 2 months at 30±2°C and 60±5% RH and 40±2°C and 75±5% RH; finally, it was observed that there was no change in drug content and in vitro drug release profile even after storage at 30±2°C and 60±5% RH and 40±2°C and 75±5% RH for 2 months. Conclusion: Itraconazole is one among the most widely used antifungal drugs. Designing the formulation of drug itraconazole prolongs therapeutic drug concentration in the blood and decreases dosage frequency and also enhances the efficacy of drug

A case of human parvo virus B 19 infection with erythroid hypoplasia and Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in an immunocompetent child: a case report

Human parvo virus B19 (B19V) is a small (5.5kb) single stranded DNA (deoxy ribo nucleic acid) virus with known tropism and cytotoxicity for erythroid progenitors. Human parvovirus B19 infection is associated with various hematological disorders like aplastic crisis, erythroid hypoplasia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Here we are presenting a rare case of parvo virus B19 infection with erythroid hypoplasia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura occurring simultaneously in a 13year old girl who presented with fever and bleeding manifestations. A 13 year old girl presented with fever of 5 days duration, epistaxis and bleeding gums spontaneously of one day duration. On admission she had pancytopenia. Her B12 and folate levels were within normal range. Bone marrow aspiration suggestive of normal cellularity with paucity of erythroid precursors, myeloid: erythroid ratio 9:1 and gaint basophilic pronormoblasts with intra-nuclear inclusions, with no further maturation, as well as increased megakaryocytes with few hypolobate forms suggestive of erythroid hypoplasia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Parvo virus B19 DNA PCR by nested polymerase chain reaction was detected in serum. She was treated with blood component support and with steroids for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. She recovered and her cell counts are improved. This case highlights the morphology of Human parvo virus B19 inclusions and its association with simultaneous presentation of erythroid hypoplasia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in immunocompetent child, which is very rare

A questionnaire-based exploratory study on self medication among second year MBBS students

Background: The practice of self-medication is expected to be higher in health science students due to their exposure to knowledge about different diseases and drugs. This study was done to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication and to compare the impact of knowledge of Pharmacology on it, among second-year MBBS students.Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of both open-ended and close-ended questions was prepared and given to second-year medical students of Kurnool medical college, Kurnool. Data was analysed and entered in Microsoft Excel (version 2019), and associations were tested using the Chi-square test. The results are expressed as counts and percentages. Statistical significance was p<0.05.Results: Among the respondents, 37.33% are practising self- medication, 54.66% think knowledge of Pharmacology aids students to practice without any dire consequences. Most of the students take for fever (95.33%), (97.33%) for cough, cold, sore throat.84% were aware that it’s not safe to take drugs pertaining to alternate systems of medicine like Ayurveda, homoeopathy. A statistically significant association between knowledge, attitude, practice and gender and residence has been observed.Conclusions: The study shows that students are aware that self-medication is dangerous when followed by lay people. On the other hand, health professionals with knowledge about medications can take self-medication for common conditions without any dire consequences. They are also aware that it’s not safe to take medications that come under alternate systems of medicines, and WhatsApp consultation is not to be encouraged