SnakeCut : an Integrated Approach Based on Active Contour and GrabCut for Automatic Foreground Object Segmentation

Interactive techniques for extracting the foreground object from an image have been the interest of research in computer vision for a long time. This paper addresses the problem of an efficient, semi-interactive extraction of a foreground object from an image. Snake (also known as Active contour) and GrabCut are two popular techniques, extensively used for this task. Active contour is a deformable contour, which segments the object using boundary discontinuities by minimizing the energy function associated with the contour. GrabCut provides a convenient way to encode color features as segmentation cues to obtain foreground segmentation from local pixel similarities using modified iterated graph-cuts. This paper first presents a comparative study of these two segmentation techniques, and illustrates conditions under which either or both of them fail. We then propose a novel formulation for integrating these two complimentary techniques to obtain an automatic foreground object segmentation. We call our proposed integrated approach as "SnakeCut", which is based on a probabilistic framework. To validate our approach, we show results both on simulated and natural images

Vegetative vigour, yield and field tolerance to leaf rust in four F1 hybrids of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in India

Four F1 hybrids of arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) developed with the primary objective of pyramiding the SH3 gene for leaf rust resistance in a commercial variety ‘Chandragiri’ for achieving the long-lasting resistance to leaf rust, have been evaluated in field. Two hybrids (S.5083 and S.5084) were derived from a donor heterozygous to SH3, while the other two hybrids (S.5085 and S.5086) were developed from donor homozygous to SH3. Among the hybrids, S.5086 recorded superior yield performance during individual years with a maximum yield of 1611 kg/ha during 2020-21 and the four year mean yield of 1313 kg/ha. The hybrid exhibited maximum heterosis over mid parent (29.10%) and better parent (17.12%) and S.5086 progeny also manifested high field tolerance to leaf rust pathogen as the entire plant population was free from the disease incidence throughout the study period. The findings of the present study established the efficiency of F1 breeding strategy with simultaneous pyramiding of rust resistance genes for development of vigorous, high yielding and durable rust resistant F1 hybrids in arabica. The F1 hybrid, S.5086 with promising performance in terms of crop yield and high field tolerance to leaf rust has potential implications for commercial exploitation

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURELY CONNECTING HETEROGENEOUS L3 NETWORK WITH SDWAN

At present, there are different methods and systems for connecting L3 heterogenous data networks. Current software-defined wide area network (SDWAN) solutions provide a secure way of interconnecting branches or data centers with various deployment models. However, existing solutions do not allow for connecting Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)-only networks to Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4)-only networks. Presented herein are techniques for providing an efficient and secure way of connecting IPv4-only branches with IPv6-only branches and vice versa. In one instance, techniques presented herein provide for connecting an IPv4-only branch with an IPv6-only branch when the controller is located in the IPv6-only network. In another instance, techniques presented herein provide for connecting an IPv4-only branch with an IPv6-only branch when the controller is located in the IPv4-only network

RECENT APPROACHES IN GLUCOSE RESPONSIVE INSULIN DELIVERY SYSTEM

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition currently affecting 382 million people across the globe, caused due to increased blood glucose levels due to less insulin production or insulin resistance. Subcutaneous insulin administration for diabetes is the only most accepted therapy for maintaining blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Many patients with advanced type II diabetes mellitus need to regularly monitor their blood glucose level to keep their blood glucose level in the target range. However long-term insulin therapy through an invasive route of administration causes problems with patient compliance and a sudden decrease in blood glucose levels. An artificial closed-loop insulin release system that mimics the glucose-responsive insulin secretion by β-cells of pancreas is one of the ways to overcome the problem faced with the conventional method of insulin administration. Many polymeric formulations showed an improved glucose-responsive release of insulin when incorporated with glucose-responsive catalysts such as glucose oxidase, phenylboronic acid, and glucose binding proteins, the release rate can be controlled by optimizing the concentration of glucose-responsive catalysts. This article is been focused on different mechanisms of glucose-responsive release by incorporation with glucose-responsive catalysts

Advances in Controlling Differentiation of Adult Stem Cells for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Adult stems cells, possessing the ability to grow, migrate, proliferate, and transdifferentiate into various specific phenotypes including, neuronal or glial cell types, constitute a great asset for biomedical applications involving peripheral nerve regeneration. Adult stem cell plasticity, in particular their ability to undergo transdifferentiation, is sensitive to various cellto- cell interactions and external stimuli involving the interactions with physical, mechanical and chemical cues within their microenvironment. Various studies have employed different techniques for transdifferentiating adult stem cells from distinct sources into specific lineages (e.g., glial cells and neurons). These techniques include using chemical and/or electrical induction as well as cell-to-cell synergetic effects via co-culture along with the use of various 3D conduit/scaffold designs. Such scaffolds consist of unique natural and/or synthetic materials that possess controllable physical/mechanical properties that can mimic the natural extracellular matrix environment of the cells. However, the current limitations regarding the final fate of implanted transdifferentiated stem cell populations, non-scalable transdifferentiation protocols, and design of a conduit/scaffold that mimics the complex extracellular matrix microenvironment have required development of new strategies for the effective transdifferentiation of stem cells and their implantation. In this progress report, we present a comprehensive review of recent advances in the transdifferentiation of adult stem cells into particularly Schwann cells or neurons via different approaches (chemical and/or electrical stimuli or co-culture with different cells) along with multifunctional conduit/scaffolds materials and designs. We also included potential cellular mechanisms and signaling pathways associated with stem cell differentiation. We conclude the discussion with some of the challenges that still need to be overcome in the field and provide an outlook toward future research directions

Carbon quantum dots in bioimaging and biomedicines

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are gaining a lot more attention than traditional semiconductor quantum dots owing to their intrinsic fluorescence property, chemical inertness, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and simple and inexpensive synthetic route of preparation. These properties allow CQDs to be utilized for a broad range of applications in various fields of scientific research including biomedical sciences, particularly in bioimaging and biomedicines. CQDs are a promising choice for advanced nanomaterials research for bioimaging and biomedicines owing to their unique chemical, physical, and optical properties. CQDs doped with hetero atom, or polymer composite materials are extremely advantageous for biochemical, biological, and biomedical applications since they are easy to prepare, biocompatible, and have beneficial properties. This type of CQD is highly useful in phototherapy, gene therapy, medication delivery, and bioimaging. This review explores the applications of CQDs in bioimaging and biomedicine, highlighting recent advancements and future possibilities to increase interest in their numerous advantages for therapeutic applications

Impact of vegetation on the simulation of seasonal monsoon rainfall over the Indian subcontinent using a regional model

The change in the type of vegetation fraction can induce major changes in the local effects such as local evaporation, surface radiation, etc., that in turn induces changes in the model simulated outputs. The present study deals with the effects of vegetation in climate modeling over the Indian region using the MM5 mesoscale model. The main objective of the present study is to investigate the impact of vegetation dataset derived from SPOT satellite by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) versus that of USGS (United States Geological Survey) vegetation dataset on the simulation of the Indian summer monsoon. The present study has been conducted for five monsoon seasons (1998-2002), giving emphasis over the two contrasting southwest monsoon seasons of 1998 (normal) and 2002 (deficient). The study reveals mixed results on the impact of vegetation datasets generated by ISRO and USGS on the simulations of the monsoon. Results indicate that the ISRO data has a positive impact on the simulations of the monsoon over northeastern India and along the western coast. The MM5-USGS has greater tendency of overestimation of rainfall. It has higher standard deviation indicating that it induces a dispersive effect on the rainfall simulation. Among the five years of study, it is seen that the RMSE of July and JJAS (June-July-August-September) for All India Rainfall is mostly lower for MM5-ISRO. Also, the bias of July and JJAS rainfall is mostly closer to unity for MM5-ISRO. The wind fields at 850 hPa and 200 hPa are also better simulated by MM5 using ISRO vegetation. The synoptic features like Somali jet and Tibetan anticyclone are simulated closer to the verification analysis by ISRO vegetation. The 2 m air temperature is also better simulated by ISRO vegetation over the northeastern India, showing greater spatial variability over the region. However, the JJAS total rainfall over north India and Deccan coast is better simulated using the USGS vegetation. Sensible heat flux over north-west India is also better simulated by MM5-USGS

Electrical Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Schwann‐Cell‐Like Phenotypes Using Inkjet‐Printed Graphene Circuits

Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have displayed tremendous promise for use as neuro-interfacial substrates as they enable favorable adhesion, growth, proliferation, spreading and migration of immobilized cells. Herein we report the first case of the differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) into Schwann Cell (SC) like phenotypes through the application of electrical stimuli from a graphene-based electrode. Electrical differentiation of MSCs into SC like phenotypes is carried out on a flexible, inkjet-printed graphene interdigitated electrode (IDE) circuit that is made highly conductive (sheet resistance \u3c 1 kΩ/☐) via a post-print pulse-laser annealing process. MSCs immobilized on the graphene printed IDEs and electrically stimulated/treated (etMSCs) displayed significant enhanced cellular differentiation and paracrine activity above conventional chemical treatment strategies [~85% of the etMSCs differentiated into SCs like phenotypes with ~80 ng/mL of nerve growth factor (NGF) secretion vs. 75% and ~55 ng/mL for chemically treated MSCs (ctMSCs)]. These results help pave the way for in vivo peripheral nerve regeneration where the flexible This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. 3 graphene electrodes could conform to the injury site and provide intimate electrical simulation for nerve cell regrowth

Therapy of pancreatic cancer via an EphA2 receptor-targeted delivery of gemcitabine.

First line treatment for pancreatic cancer consists of surgical resection, if possible, and a subsequent course of chemotherapy using the nucleoside analogue gemcitabine. In some patients, an active transport mechanism allows gemcitabine to enter efficiently into the tumor cells, resulting in a significant clinical benefit. However, in most patients, low expression of gemcitabine transporters limits the efficacy of the drug to marginal levels, and patients need frequent administration of the drug at high doses, significantly increasing systemic drug toxicity. In this article we focus on a novel targeted delivery approach for gemcitabine consisting of conjugating the drug with an EphA2 targeting agent. We show that the EphA2 receptor is highly expressed in pancreatic cancers, and accordingly, the drug-conjugate is more effective than gemcitabine alone in targeting pancreatic tumors. Our preliminary observations suggest that this approach may provide a general benefit to pancreatic cancer patients and offers a comprehensive strategy for enhancing delivery of diverse therapeutic agents to a wide range of cancers overexpressing EphA2, thereby potentially reducing toxicity while enhancing therapeutic efficacy

Antagonistic activity of cellular components of Pseudomonas species against Aeromonas hydrophila

Antagonistic effects of Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. aeruginosa and P. putida were studied against 12 strains of Aeromonas hydrophila (Ah1–Ah12). Four different fractions of cellular component (i.e. whole cell product, heat killed whole cell product, intra cellular product and extra cellular product) of all Pseudomonas species were equally effective in reducing growth of A. hydrophila strains, as measured by the zone of inhibition in an in vitro sensitivity test and have potential action against A. hydrophila infection in fishes