Robust Stabilised Visual Tracker for Vehicle Tracking

Visual tracking is performed in a stabilised video. If the input video to the tracker algorithm is itself destabilised, incorrect motion vectors will cause a serious drift in tracking. Therefore video stabilisation is must before tracking. A novel algorithm is developed which simultaneously takes care of video stabilisation and target tracking. Target templates in just previous frame are stored in positive and negative repositories followed by Affine mapping. Then optimised affine parameters are used to stabilise the video. Target of interest in the next frame is approximated using linear combinations of previous target templates. Proposed modified L1 minimisation method is used to solve sparse representation of target in the target template subspace. Occlusion problem is minimised using the inherent energy of coefficients. Accurate tracking results have been obtained in destabilised videos

Efficient Embedded Hardware Architecture for Stabilised Tracking Sighting System of Armoured Fighting Vehicles

A line-of-sight stabilised sighting system, capable of target tracking and video stabilisation is a prime requirement of any armoured fighting tank vehicle for military surveillance and weapon firing. Typically, such sighting systems have three prime electro-optical sensors i.e. day camera for viewing in day conditions, thermal camera for night viewing and eye-safe laser range finder for obtaining the target range. For laser guided missile firing, additional laser target designator may be a part of sighting system. This sighting system provides necessary parameters for the fire control computer to compute ballistic offsets to fire conventional ammunition or fire missile. System demands simultaneous interactions with electro-optical sensors, servo sensors, actuators, multi-function display for man-machine interface, fire control computer, logic controller and other sub-systems of tank. Therefore, a complex embedded electronics hardware is needed to respond in real time for such system. An efficient electronics embedded hardware architecture is presented here for the development of this type of sighting system. This hardware has been developed around SHARC 21369 processor and FPGA. A performance evaluation scheme is also presented for this sighting system based on the developed hardware

FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROBALLOONS OF NORFLOXACIN

The present study involves preparation and evaluation of floating microballoons of norfloxacin for improving the bioavailability by prolongation of gastric residence time. norfloxacin, a sparingly water soluble drug, was selected and microballoons were prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion method using Eudragit L-100 and Eudragit RS-100 in ethyl alcohol and dichloromethane organic solvent system. The formation of a sphere and hollow within the sphere was confirmed through SEM studies. The percentage of drug entrapment and recovery was found to be 75- 80%. The micromeritic properties indicated better flowability and packability of the spheres. The Buoyancy test showed good floatability of norfloxacin microballoons in the simulated gastric fluid for more than 12 h. In vitro dissolution profile showed prolonged release of drug from the formulations. Thus microballoons of norfloxacin with acrylic polymers prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion proves to be an ideal novel floating dosage form that is adaptable to any intragastric condition for controlled drug delivery and enhanced bioavailability.Keywords: norfloxacin, hollow microspheres, acrylic polymers, evaluatio

Relative contribution of susceptibility weighted imaging, compared to conventional MRI, in the detection of common bile-duct calculi

PURPOSEWe aimed to evaluate the relative contribution of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) in the detection of common bile-duct (CBD) stones in comparison to the conventional MRI protocol containing magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), balanced turbo field echo (BTFE), and T2-weighted spin-echo imaging techniques.METHODSMRI data containing MRCP, BTFE, T2-weighted imaging, and abdominal SWI were independently evaluated by 2 sets of experienced radiologists in 44 patients with confirmed CBD stones. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasound where available, was used as the reference gold standard. Evaluation was performed for the visualization of CBD stones in each of the MRI techniques. Relative contribution of SWI was classified into one of four categories for each case: (1) no contribution to CBD stone visualization; (2) same as conventional techniques; (3) improved diagnostic confidence; and (4) critical for diagnosis. Stone size was also assessed.RESULTSInter-rater agreement coefficient for CBD stone visualization was found to be “good” in MRCP (0.77), “very good” in SWI (0.94) and BTFE (0.84), and moderate in T2-weighted imaging (0.54). CBD stones were visualized with SWI in 86.4% and 82%, with MRCP in 70.5% and 70.5% cases, with BTFE in 73% and 61.4% cases, with T2-weighted imaging in 45.5% and 52.3% cases by reviewers 1 and 2, respectively. SWI did not contribute to CBD stone visualization in 2.3% (1/44); was the same as conventional techniques in 31.8% (14/44) cases; improved diagnostic confidence in 34.1%; and was critical for diagnosis in 20.5% cases.CONCLUSIONSWI has the potential to serve as a strong adjunct to conventional MRI protocols used for CBD stone evaluation with very small scan-time penalty

Cocaine induces cytoskeletal changes in cardiac myocytes : implications for cardiac morphology

Cocaine is one of the most widely abused illicit drugs worldwide and has long been recognised as an agent of cardiac dysfunction in numerous cases of drug overdose. Cocaine has previously been shown to up-regulate cytoskeletal rearrangements and morphological changes in numerous tissues; however, previous literature observes such changes primarily in clinical case reports and addiction studies. An investigation into the fundamental cytoskeletal parameters of migration, adhesion and proliferation were studied to determine the cytoskeletal and cytotoxic basis of cocaine in cardiac cells. Treatment of cardiac myocytes with cocaine increased cell migration and adhesion (p 0.05), with no effect on cell proliferation, except with higher doses eliciting (1–10 μg/mL) its diminution and increase in cell death. Cocaine downregulated phosphorylation of cofilin, decreased expression of adhesion modulators (integrin-β3) and increased expression of ezirin within three hours of 1 μg/mL treatments. These functional responses were associated with changes in cellular morphology, including alterations in membrane stability and a stellate-like phenotype with less compaction between cells. Higher dose treatments of cocaine (5–10 μg/mL) were associated with significant cardiomyocyte cell death (p 0.05) and loss of cellular architecture. These results highlight the importance of cocaine in mediating cardiomyocyte function and cytotoxicity associated with the possible loss of intercellular contacts required to maintain normal cell viability, with implications for cardiotoxicity relating to hypertrophy and fibrogenesis

Modulatory effect of exogenous Coenzyme Q10 on redox and inflammatory biomarkers during aging in rats

An impaired redox homeostasis is an important hallmark of biological aging. Coenzyme Q 10 is an endogenous lipophilic antioxidant that decreases with age and has been linked to oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of CoQ 10 supplementation on redox homeostasis and levels of inflammatory cytokines in young and old rats. Male Wistar rats (young and old) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6). Group I: young control, Group II: young rats treated with CoQ 10 , Group III: old control, Group IV: old rats treated with CoQ 10 . CoQ 10 (20 mg/kg) was administered daily to Group II and IV via oral gavage. After 28 days of treatment, rats were sacrificed and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. Results demonstrated a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl oxidation, advanced oxidation protein products, inflammatory cytokines: CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and a decline in levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, ferric reducing antioxidant potential in plasma and plasma mem- brane redox system in old rats when compared to young rats. After treatment with CoQ 10 significant decrease in the level of MDA, PCO, AOPP, CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α was observed. Also, significant up-regulation of SOD, CAT, GSH, FRAP, and PMRS was observed. The results show that supplementing rats with CoQ 10 aids in the maintenance of redox equilibrium with replenishment of antioxidant reserves and down-regulation of inflammatory biomarkers. Thus CoQ 10 supplementation could be a potential anti-aging therapy

Whey protein concentrate protects against age-dependent alteration in redox biomarkers

Aging is associated with decreased cellular cysteine uptake, which acts as a precursor for glutathione biosynthesis. Whey protein, a liquid aspect of milk, is an effective cysteine delivery system. The study was undertaken to evaluate the potential role of whey protein concentrate (WPC) on the redox biomarkers during aging. Male Wistar rats were divided into following four groups: young control (4 months old); young treated with WPC (300 mg/kg b.w./day orally); old (24 months old) control; old treated with WPC for 28 days. After treatment, changes in body weight, lipid profile and levels of redox biomarkers were determined. A marked decrease in prooxidants such as reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl and significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in antioxidants such as reduced glutathione and GST levels were observed after WPC supplementation in old age rats. We also found marked decrease in the level of sialic acid and AGEs after WPC supplementation. In conclusion, WPC provides protection against age-dependent redox imbalance which might be attributed to its antioxidant activity

Curcumin displays a potent caloric restriction mimetic effect in an accelerated senescent model of rat

Curcumin, a strong natural compound with numerous health benefits, is extracted from the Curcuma longa. According to recent research findings, it also acts as a calorie restriction mimetic. We examined established aging biomarkers in eryth- rocytes and plasma and tested a persistent oral dietary dose of curcumin in young and d-galactose-induced accelerated rat aging models. For four weeks, d-gal (300 mg/kg b.w. subcutaneously) and curcumin (200 mg/kg b.w. oral) were adminis- tered simultaneously to test the protective effects of curcumin against d-galactose-induced accelerated aging and oxidative stress. In the accelerated senescent rat model, we discovered a significant rise in protein carbonyl, malonaldehyde (MDA), and advanced oxidation protein products. Increased levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, ferric-reducing antioxidant potential, and reduced glutathione (GSH) were observed. Our findings reveal that curcumin has characteristics resembling a calorie restriction mimic and can successfully maintain redox equilibrium throughout the aging process in rat erythrocytes and plasma