Compressive Sensing DNA Microarrays

Compressive sensing microarrays (CSMs) are DNA-based sensors that operate using group testing and compressive sensing (CS) principles. In contrast to conventional DNA microarrays, in which each genetic sensor is designed to respond to a single target, in a CSM, each sensor responds to a set of targets. We study the problem of designing CSMs that simultaneously account for both the constraints from CS theory and the biochemistry of probe-target DNA hybridization. An appropriate cross-hybridization model is proposed for CSMs, and several methods are developed for probe design and CS signal recovery based on the new model. Lab experiments suggest that in order to achieve accurate hybridization profiling, consensus probe sequences are required to have sequence homology of at least 80% with all targets to be detected. Furthermore, out-of-equilibrium datasets are usually as accurate as those obtained from equilibrium conditions. Consequently, one can use CSMs in applications in which only short hybridization times are allowed

True colour retrieval from multiple illuminant scene’s image

This paper presents an algorithm to retrieve the true colour of an image captured under multiple illuminant. The proposed method uses a histogram analysis and K-means++ clustering technique to split the input image into a number of segments. It then determines normalised average absolute difference (NAAD) for each resulting segment’s colour component. If the NAAD of the segment’s component is greater than an empirically determined threshold. It assumes that the segment does not represent a uniform colour area, hence the segment’s colour component is selected to be used for image colour constancy adjustment. The initial colour balancing factor for each chosen segment’s component is calculated using the Minkowski norm based on the principal that the average values of image colour components are achromatic. It finally calculates colour constancy adjustment factors for each image pixel by fusing the initial colour constancy factors of the chosen segments weighted by the normalised Euclidian distances of the pixel from the centroids of the selected segments. Experimental results using benchmark single and multiple illuminant image datasets, show that the proposed method’s images subjectively exhibit highest colour constancy in the presence of multiple illuminant and also when image contains uniform colour areas

Color Constancy Adjustment using Sub-blocks of the Image

Extreme presence of the source light in digital images decreases the performance of many image processing algorithms, such as video analytics, object tracking and image segmentation. This paper presents a color constancy adjustment technique, which lessens the impact of large unvarying color areas of the image on the performance of the existing statistical based color correction algorithms. The proposed algorithm splits the input image into several non-overlapping blocks. It uses the Average Absolute Difference (AAD) value of each block’s color component as a measure to determine if the block has adequate color information to contribute to the color adjustment of the whole image. It is shown through experiments that by excluding the unvarying color areas of the image, the performances of the existing statistical-based color constancy methods are significantly improved. The experimental results of four benchmark image datasets validate that the proposed framework using Gray World, Max-RGB and Shades of Gray statistics-based methods’ images have significantly higher subjective and competitive objective color constancy than those of the existing and the state-of-the-art methods’ images

Bioleaching of metal ions from low grade sulphide ore: Process optimization by using orthogonal experimental array design

The present work was aimed at studying the bioleachability of metal ions from low grade sulphide ore containing high amount of carbonaceous materials by selected moderately thermophilic strain of acidophilic chemolothotrophic bacteria, Sulfobacilllus thermosulfidooxidans. The bioleaching process was optimized by constructing L25 Taguchi orthogonal experimental array design and optimization of variable proportions of process parameters. Five factors were investigated and twenty five batchbioleaching tests were run under lower, medium and higher levels of these factors. The parameters considered for shake flask leaching experiments were initial pH (1.8, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5), particle size, (50, 100, 120, 200, 270 m), pulp density (1, 5, 10, 15, 25%), temperature (40, 45, 47, 52, 57oC) and agitation (100, 120, 180, 220, 280 rpm). Statistical analysis (ANOVA) was also employed to determine significant relationship between experimental conditions and yield levels. The experimental results for selective leaching showed that under engineered leaching conditions; pH 1.8, particle size 120 m, pulp density 10%, temperature 47°C and agitation 180 rpm, the percent bioleachabilities of metals were Zn 72%, Co68%, Cu 78%, Ni 81% and Fe 70% with an inoculum size of 1.0 ×107 /mL

Colour Constancy For Non‐Uniform Illuminant using Image Textures

Colour constancy (CC) is the ability to perceive the true colour of the scene on its image regardless of the scene’s illuminant changes. Colour constancy is a significant part of the digital image processing pipeline, more precisely, where true colour of the object is needed. Most existing CC algorithms assume a uniform illuminant across the whole scene of the image, which is not always the case. Hence, their performance is influenced by the presence of multiple light sources. This paper presents a colour constancy algorithm using image texture for uniform/non-uniformly lit scene images. The propose algorithm applies the K-means algorithm to segment the input image based on its different colour feature. Each segment’s texture is then extracted using the Entropy analysis algorithm. The colour information of the texture pixels is then used to calculate initial colour constancy adjustment factor for each segment. Finally, the colour constancy adjustment factors for each pixel within the image is determined by fusing the colour constancy of all segment regulated by the Euclidian distance of each pixel from the centre of the segments. Experimental results on both single and multiple illuminant image datasets show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing state of the art colour constancy algorithms, particularly when the images lit by multiple light sources

HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC EFFECTS OF FISH AND VEGETABLE OILS ON THE SERUM LIPID PROFILE OF EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC RATS

Aims: This study was conducted to find out the effect of fish and vegetable oils on the serum lipid profile of experimentally induced hypercholesterolemic rats. Methods: Long Evan rats were fed with cholic acid and cholesterol for 14 days to make them hypercholesterolemic. The hypercholesterolemic rats were then supplemented with the oils of Pangsius pangasius fish, Soybean, Flaxseed, Sesame, Black seed and Mustard for 35 days. Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol-TC, low density lipoprotein-LDL, high density lipoprotein-HDL and triglyceride-TG) was determined with ELISA plate reader using commercial kits. Results: All of the oils tested were noted to reduce the serum TC, LDL and TG, but had increase the good cholesterol HDL level in the hypercholesterolemic rats. Among these oils, Pangsius pangasius fish oil showed the strongest anticholesterol property. In reduction of total cholesterol, after the Pangsius fish oil, the next prominent activity was given by black seed oil followed by flaxseed oil, sesame oil, mustard oil and soybean oil and in term of lowering of LDL level, the effect was in order of black seed, flaxseed, mustard, sesame and soybean oil. In giving the effect on good cholesterol HDL level, mustard oil showed the strongest increasing effect, which was followed by black seed oil, flaxseed oil, sesame oil, Pangsius oil and soybean oil. The drop of triglyceride level by the tested oils, it was in line of Pangsius oil, sesame oil, black seed oil, flaxseed oil, soybean oil and mustard oil. Conclusion: The present study showed that both the fish and vegetable oils have significant anticholesterol effects on hypercholesterolemic rats. However, compared to the vegetable oil, fish oil has stronger effect on the blood lipid profile. Regular dietary intake of fish and vegetable oils would reduce the risk of cardiovascular complication

Connectivity and Racial Equity in Responding to COVID-19 Impacts in the Chicago Regional Food System

The COVID-19 outbreak led to major disruptions in food systems across the globe. In the United States’ Chicago region, the outbreak created immediate concerns around increased hunger, food insecurity, supply chain disruptions, and loss of local livelihoods. This was especially evident in communities of color, which faced disproportionate impacts from the pandemic. In March 2020, the Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC) coordinated a Rapid Response Effort that convened people in working groups related to emergency food assistance, local food producers, small businesses, and food system workers to address urgent needs that arose due to the pandemic. Each working group met regularly through virtual calls. This effort has persisted throughout the pandemic in various forms. For this study, we interviewed CFPAC staff members and participants in these calls to create narratives that document respondents’ perceptions of the Rapid Response Effort’s evolution, benefits, challenges, and potential for long-term impacts

Comparison of various oxidative treatments for removal of reactive black CNN

Decolorization of reactive black CNN by chemical oxidation and reduction using KMnO4, H2O2 and Ferrioxalate as oxidizing agents and Na2SO3 as reducing agent individually as well as in combination was studied on batch scale using UV-visible spectroscopy. Degradation of dye occurred in acidic medium with KMnO4 and in alkaline medium with H2O2 and ferrioxalate. The most efficient methods for decolorization of reactive black CNN is oxidation using KMnO4 as an oxidizing agent which removed 97.64% of dye. Maximum decolorization was obtained at 60 min of treatment under static conditions. H2O2 and ferrioxalate could remove only 50.71 and 44.21% dye, respectively. Sequential treatment was more successful with H2O2 and ferrioxalate when compared with KMnO4. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) contents of treated wastewater decreased appreciably from 83.6 to 63.7 mg/L and 86.8 to 72.8 mg/L, respectively. Additionally, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) study revealed the degradation of reactive black CNN after treatment into non toxic products.Keywords: Reactive black CNN, KMnO4, ferrioxalate, sodium sulphite, chemical oxygen demand (COD)