An Analysis on Contributions of Indian Medical Universities/Institutions Ranked by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in ResearchGate(RG)

This paper examines the contributions of various academic works by medical Institutions/Universities ranked by National Institutional Ranking Frameworks(NIRF) in the ResearchGate(RG).The study has considered the top ten NIRF Ranking Medical Universities/Institutions. The relevant data were extracted from the websites of NIRF (https://www.nirfindia.org/Home) and ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/). The study has mainly focused on ResearchGate (RG) Score, Memberships and Publications of top NIRF Ranking Universities/Institutions. The results show that the All India Institute of Medical Sciences contributions are found high (RG Score: 25775.82, Membership: 1970 and Publications: 15410) and Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research are found less (RG Score: 5033.65, Membership: 816 and Publications: 1829) in the ResearchGate. The study also recommended that all the Medical Universities/Institutions should be encouraged to contribute their academic activities in ResearchGate

Wavelet and FFT Based Image Denoising Using Non-linear Filters

We propose a stationary and discrete wavelet based image denoising scheme and an FFTbased image denoising scheme to remove Gaussian noise. In the first approach, high subbands are added with each other and then soft thresholding is performed. The sum of low subbands is filtered with either piecewise linear (PWL) or Lagrange or spline interpolated PWL filter. In the second approach, FFT is employed on the noisy image and then low frequency and high frequency coefficients are separated with a specified cutoff frequency.Then the inverse of low frequency components is filtered with one of the PWL filters and the inverse of high frequency components is filtered with soft thresholding. The experimental results are compared with Liu and Liu's tensor-based diffusion model (TDM) approach

Electrochemical and in situ spectroelectrochemical studies of gold nanoparticles immobilized Nafion matrix modified electrode

Electrochemical and in situ spectroelectrochemical behaviours of phenosafranine (PS+) were studied at the gold nanoparticles (AuNps) immobilized Nafion (Nf) film coated glassy carbon (GC) and indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. Cyclic voltammetric studies showed that the PS+ molecules strongly interact with the AuNps immobilized in the Nf matrix through the electrostatic interaction. The presence of AuNps in the Nf film improved the electrochemical characteristics of the incorporated dye molecules. The emission spectra of Nf-AuNps-PS+ films showed that the incorporated PS+ was quenched by AuNps and it could be explained based on the electronic interaction between the AuNps and PS+ molecules. The in situ spectroelectrochemical study showed an improved electrochemical characteristic of the incorporated PS+ molecules at the ITO/Nf-AuNps electrode when compared to the ITO/Nf electrode

Colloidal Assemblies of Oriented Maghemite Nanocrystals and their NMR Relaxometric Properties

Elevated-temperature polyol-based colloidal-chemistry approach allows for the development of size-tunable (50 and 86 nm) assemblies of maghemite iso-oriented nanocrystals, with enhanced magnetization. 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometric experiments show that the ferrimagnetic cluster-like colloidal entities exhibit a remarkable enhancement (4 to 5 times) in the transverse relaxivity, if compared to that of the superparamagnetic contrast agent Endorem, over an extended frequency range (1-60 MHz). The marked increase of the transverse relaxivity r2 at a clinical magnetic field strength (1.41 T), which is 405.1 and 508.3 mM-1 s-1 for small and large assemblies respectively, allows to relate the observed response to the raised intra-aggregate magnetic material volume fraction. Furthermore, cell tests with murine fibroblast culture medium confirmed the cell viability in presence of the clusters. We discuss the NMR dispersion profiles on the basis of relaxivity models to highlight the magneto-structural characteristics of the materials for improved T2-weighted magnetic resonance images.Comment: Includes supporting informatio

Effect of organic mulches and foliar spray of kaolin on NPK uptake in enhancing yield and economics of dry land maize (Zea mays L.)

The hot and semi-arid region is prone to meteorological droughts; the lack of rain is frequently accompanied by hot temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity, which has the impact of limiting nutrient uptake and agricultural yields. To overcome this problem a field study conducted during June, 2020 kharif season at farmers field, Chinna Dudyala village, Muddanur, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh aimed to determine the effect of organic mulches and foliar spray of kaolin on NPK uptake in enhancing yield and economics of dry land maize (Zea mays). One of the most important techniques for preserving soil moisture was mulching, which also reduces evapotranspiration when anti-transpirants are used. The experiment comprised nine treatments (T1 to T9) with four types of organic mulches viz., Paddy straw, Ground-nut haulm, Coir-pith, and Sugarcane trash, with foliar spray of kaolin intervals on 40 DAS, 20 & 40 DAS and farmers practice to minimize water stress and improve the nutrient uptake by plant. Among the application of the treatments, coir-pith mulch + foliar spray of kaolin @ 3.0% (T6) on 20 DAS & 40 DAS had significant effect on NPK uptake with N (187.15 kg ha-1), P (69.60 kg ha-1) and K (156.22 kg ha-1) and enhanced grain yield (6976 kg ha-1) and stover yield (10980 kg ha-1), highest gross returns (138034 ₹. ha-1) and BCR (2.63) and was superior to all the other treatments. The present study would help to effectively utilise the available resources, enhance growth and productivity in maize crop and to make economically viable to the farmers of semi-arid regions

HIV and Cocaine Impact Glial Metabolism: Energy Sensor AMP-activated protein kinase Role in Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Epigenetic Remodeling

HIV infection and cocaine use have been identified as risk factors for triggering neuronal dysfunction. In the central nervous system (CNS), energy resource and metabolic function are regulated by astroglia. Glia is the major reservoir of HIV infection and disease progression in CNS. However, the role of cocaine in accelerating HIV associated energy deficit and its impact on neuronal dysfunction has not been elucidated yet. The aim of this study is to elucidate the molecular mechanism of HIV associated neuropathogenesis in cocaine abuse and how it accelerates the energy sensor AMPKs and its subsequent effect on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), BRSKs, CDC25B/C, MAP/Tau, Wee1 and epigenetics remodeling complex SWI/SNF. Results showed that cocaine exposure during HIV infection significantly increased the level of p24, reactive oxygen species (ROS), ATP-utilization and upregulated energy sensor AMPKs, CDC25B/C, MAP/Tau and Wee1 protein expression. Increased ROS production subsequently inhibits OCR/ECAR ratio and OXPHOS, and eventually upregulate epigenetics remodeling complex SWI/SNF in CHME-5 cells. These results suggest that HIV infection induced energy deficit and metabolic dysfunction is accelerated by cocaine inducing energy sensor AMPKs, mitochondrial biogenesis and chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF activation, which may lead to neuroAIDS disease progression

Effect of physio-chemical seed treatments on opium poppy downy mildews caused by Peronospora meconopsidis and P. somniferi

Downy mildew of opium poppy is the single biggest disease constraint afflicting the Australian poppy industry. Within the pathosystem, the transmission of infections via infested seed is of major concern. Both downy mildew pathogens of poppy; Peronospora meconopsidis and P. somniferi, are known contaminants of commercial seed stocks. Using seed naturally infested with these pathogens, the effect of physio-chemical seed treatments on seedling health and disease transmission were evaluated. Individual seed treatments were tested to determine optimal treatment parameters for each; including incubation time, temperature and treatment concentration. Optimised physiochemical treatments were then compared. The most effective treatment methods were seed washes in acidified electrolytic water (400 ppm hypochlorous acid for 5 min) and hypochlorite solution (2% NaOCI for 5 min). In seed to seedling transmission assays, these two treatments reduced transmission of P. somniferi by 88.8% and 74.61%, and P. meconopsidis by 93.3% and 100%, respectively. These methods are recommended for seed treatment of commercial opium poppy seed to assist in the control of the downy mildew diseases

Assessment of Land Cover changes on long-term treated industrial effluent irrigation using Remote sensing and GIS techniques

A study was under taken to identify and map the changes in land use and land cover over a period of (1992 to 2017) 25 years in an area irrigating with treated industrial waste water using remote sensing and GIS technologies. Four LANDSAT TM and ETM+ images of 1992, 1999, 2006 and 2017 with a spatial resolution 30mx30m were used to determine the temporal land cover changes. Consequently, ground truth confirmation was done in the study area. Supervised classification was carried out in ArcGIS to identify the LULC classes. The study area was classified into four major classes; Water bodies, Settlements, Vegetation and Fallow lands.  The study revealed that fallow lands was decreased by 99.8%, vegetation was found to be increased by 90.2%  and settlement area was found to increase by 65.7 % over the period of 15 years. Livelihood increased with increased socio-economic status of the people

Recognition of Characters and Patterns using Neural Network

This paper describes the recognition of handwritten characters using Probabilistic neutral network classifier. Identification of hand written characters requires the large number of data sets. The individual characters are identified using Segmentation and the feature analysis is done through the grey-level co-occurrence matrix. Finally the PNN Classifier is used to classify the each individual characters based on the stored data set