Survey of Object Detection Methods in Camouflaged Image

Camouflage is an attempt to conceal the signature of a target object into the background image. Camouflage detection methods or Decamouflaging method is basically used to detect foreground object hidden in the background image. In this research paper authors presented survey of camouflage detection methods for different applications and areas

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DROUGHT INDICES ON VEGETATION THROUGH REMOTE SENSING FOR LATUR REGION OF INDIA

Drought intensifies stress on the water resource which is already in a critical condition due to rapid urbanization and population growth thus, affecting people, economy, and environment. The drought conditions are worsening in many parts of India due to deficit rainfall, change in land and surface temperature, and vegetation pattern coupled with mismanagement of water resources and poor governance. The present study conducted for Latur, Marathwada is an agricultural rich land which is severely affected due to prolonged drought conditions. A comparative study is presented using the three drought indices VCI, VHI, TCI to analyze the vegetation condition for drought years. The results through TCI detects the drought only during the dry period or in the months where the temperature is high. The VCI detects drought conditions as more sensitive in wet seasons. The VHI combines both the indicators to give comprehensive results about drought conditions. Further, Land Surface Temperature study is conducted to substantiate the analyzed drought conditions. Our study illustrates that the comparative analysis of various indices represents a better interpretation and monitoring of drought for the areas which are majorly affected due to vegetative drought

Therapeutic approaches to drug targets in atherosclerosis

AbstractNon-communicable diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and diabetes are responsible for major social and health burden as millions of people are dying every year. Out of which, atherosclerosis is the leading cause of deaths worldwide. The lipid abnormality is one of the major modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis. Both genetic and environmental components are associated with the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Immune and inflammatory mediators have a complex role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Understanding of all these processes will help to invent a range of new biomarkers and novel treatment modalities targeting various cellular events in acute and chronic inflammation that are accountable for atherosclerosis. Several biochemical pathways, receptors and enzymes are involved in the development of atherosclerosis that would be possible targets for improving strategies for disease diagnosis and management. Earlier anti-inflammatory or lipid-lowering treatments could be useful for alleviating morbidity and mortality of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. However, novel drug targets like endoglin receptor, PPARα, squalene synthase, thyroid hormone analogues, scavenger receptor and thyroid hormone analogues are more powerful to control the process of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the review briefly focuses on different novel targets that act at the starting stage of the plaque form to the thrombus formation in the atherosclerosis

Computerized assessment of coronary lumen and atherosclerotic plaque dimensions in three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound correlated with histomorphometry.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), which depicts both lumen and plaque, offers the potential to improve on the limitations of angiography for the assessment of the natural history of atherosclerosis and progression or regression of the disease. To facilitate measurements and increase the reproducibility of quantitative IVUS analyses, a computerized contour detection system was developed that detects both the luminal and external vessel boundaries in 3-dimensional sets of IVUS images. To validate this system, atherosclerotic human coronary segments (n = 13) with an area obstruction ≥40% (40% to 61%) were studied in vitro by IVUS. The computerized IVUS measurements (areas and volumes) of the lumen, total vessel, plaque-media complex, and percent obstruction were compared with findings by manual tracing of the IVUS images and of the corresponding histologic cross sections obtained at 2-mm increments (n = 100). Both area and volume measurements by the contour detection system agreed well with the results obtained by manual tracing, showing low mean between-method differences (−3.7% to 0.3%) with SDs not exceeding 6% and high correlation coefficients (r = 0.97 to 0.99). Measurements of the lumen, total vessel, plaque-media complex, and percent obstruction by the contour detection system correlated well with histomorphometry of areas (r = 0.94, 0.88, 0.80, and 0.88) and volumes (r = 0.98, 0.91, 0.83, and 0.91). Systematic differences between the results by the contour detection system and histomorphometry (29%, 13%, −9%, and −22%, respectively) were found, most likely resulting from shrinkage during tissue fixation. The result

Preparation and Application of Electrodes in Capacitive Deionization (CDI): a State-of-Art Review

As a promising desalination technology, capacitive deionization (CDI) have shown practicality and cost-effectiveness in brackish water treatment. Developing more efficient electrode materials is the key to improving salt removal performance. This work reviewed current progress on electrode fabrication in application of CDI. Fundamental principal (e.g. EDL theory and adsorption isotherms) and process factors (e.g. pore distribution, potential, salt type and concentration) of CDI performance were presented first. It was then followed by in-depth discussion and comparison on properties and fabrication technique of different electrodes, including carbon aerogel, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene and ordered mesoporous carbon. Finally, polyaniline as conductive polymer and its potential application as CDI electrode-enhancing materials were also discussed

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Development of a method for extracting macrophages from zebrafish, Danio rerio and their use in assessing stress

Background. To assess stress levels in fishes, plasma cortisol levels are measured by radioimmuno assay and phagocytic activity is assessed using macrophages. However, the small size of some fishes makes it difficult to measure stress using these physiological and immunological indicators. In this study, we investigated the possibility of obtaining macrophages from zebrafish via whole body extractions by assessing the respiratory burst activity and phagocytic capacity of extracted cells and we studied the effects of temperature stress on zebrafish using the extracted macrophages. Materials and methods. One hundred and fifty genetically pure zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822), were randomly divided into three groups and placed in three different environments: optimal (28°C), warm (32°C), and cool (23°C). Using the newly developed extraction method described in this article macrophages were extracted from whole fish bodies and the phagocytic activity of these cells were assessed. Results. The method yielded enough macrophages to examine their respiratory burst activity and phagocytic capacity. Values obtained for experimental replicates were similar and the assessment measures were sensitive enough to detect differences in these parameters among fish maintained at three different temperatures for 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. These results suggest that macrophages can be successfully extracted using the whole body method and the extracted macrophages are useful for studying stress. Conclusion. The method of macrophage extraction described in this article is simple and rapid, and will enable researchers to study the effects of any stressors, environmental or pathogenic, on the non-specific immune response of fish