Color Image Clustering using Block Truncation Algorithm

With the advancement in image capturing device, the image data been generated at high volume. If images are analyzed properly, they can reveal useful information to the human users. Content based image retrieval address the problem of retrieving images relevant to the user needs from image databases on the basis of low-level visual features that can be derived from the images. Grouping images into meaningful categories to reveal useful information is a challenging and important problem. Clustering is a data mining technique to group a set of unsupervised data based on the conceptual clustering principal: maximizing the intraclass similarity and minimizing the interclass similarity. Proposed framework focuses on color as feature. Color Moment and Block Truncation Coding (BTC) are used to extract features for image dataset. Experimental study using K-Means clustering algorithm is conducted to group the image dataset into various clusters

Role of adhesion molecules and inflammation in Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infected mouse brain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neuroinvasion of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) and subsequent initiation of inflammation in the brain plays a crucial role in the outcome of VEEV infection in mice. Adhesion molecules expressed on microvascular endothelial cells in the brain have been implicated in the modulation of the blood brain barrier (BBB) and inflammation in brain but their role in VEEV pathogenesis is not very well understood. In this study, we evaluated the expression of extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules genes in the brain of VEEV infected mice.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Several cell to cell adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix protein genes such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CD44, Cadherins, integrins, MMPs and Timp1 were differentially regulated post-VEEV infection. ICAM-1 knock-out (IKO) mice infected with VEEV had markedly reduced inflammation in the brain and demonstrated a delay in the onset of clinical symptoms of disease. A differential regulation of inflammatory genes was observed in the IKO mice brain compared to their WT counterparts.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results improve our present understanding of VEEV induced inflammation in mouse brain.</p

Conocimientos, Actitudes y Prácticas sobre lactancia materna que poseen las madres que asisten al programa de Vigilancia promoción, crecimiento y desarrollo en el centro salud de Villa Libertad, Managua. Octubre -Diciembre 2015

Se determinaron los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre lactancia materna que poseen las madres que asisten al programa de Vigilancia, Promoción, Crecimiento y Desarrollo, mediante un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, probabilístico, realizado en 73 mujeres en rangos de edad de 15 a 42 años, seleccionadas por muestreo aleatorio simple en el Centro de Salud Villa Libertad de la ciudad de Managua en el periodo de Octubre a Diciembre del año 2015. Una vez seleccionada el área de estudio se realizó coordinación con personal de salud y docente a cargo, se identificó el problema objeto de la investigación, se procedió a la elaboración de los objetivos y del instrumento de recolección de datos, posteriormente se hizo la validación del mismo. La entrada al escenario de trabajo para la evaluación se realizó aplicando el formulario conteniendo las variables de acuerdo a cada objetivo específico, los cuales están enmarcados en cuanto a identificar información sociodemográfica, de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre lactancia materna. Se utilizaron medios y programas informáticos para el proceso de recolección y análisis de datos. Una vez analizada la información se obtuvieron los resultados, donde encontramos que las mujeres estudiadas manifestaron tener adecuados conocimientos sobre lactancia materna obtenidos en la unidad de salud donde han sido atendidas, tienen una actitud favorable, pero la práctica de lactancia materna es inadecuada, porque es mixta debido a que además de la leche materna se implementa el uso de fórmulas lácteas y alimentación complementaria a temprana edad. Palabras Clave: Lactancia Materna, Conocimientos, Actitudes, Prácticas, Fórmul

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

A Comparison of Cyber-Crime Definitions in India and the United States

Unlike traditional crimes, it is difficult to define legal jurisdiction and authority for prosecuting cyber crimes. This issue is further complicated by differences in definitions of cyber crime in different countries. This chapter motivates the issue with an example of the ILOVEYOU virus and compares the legal provisions to combat cyber-crime in the US and India. The authors find that there are significant differences between India and the US in definitions of cybercrimes. It appears that in the United States, it is a crime to access information that has been declared to be confidential. In India, criminality requires dissemination of the information obtained without authorization. Another notable difference between the prosecutions of cybercrimes in the two countries relates to obscenity and decency laws

Undiagnosed aortic dissection in patient with intra-aortic balloon pump

60 years old lady presented with chest pain and was admitted in local hospital. Electrocardiogram was suggestive of anterior myocardial ischemia. Patient underwent coronary angiography which revealed severe triple vessles coronary artery disease. As patient was hemodynamically unstable and in cardiogenic shock, intraaortic balloon pump was inserted .IABP augmented diastolic blood pressure was less than unassisted systolic blood pressure despite setting maximum augmentation on IABP machine

A Comparison of Cyber-Crime Definitions in India and the United States

Unlike traditional crimes, it is difficult to define legal jurisdiction and authority for prosecuting cyber crimes. This issue is further complicated by differences in definitions of cyber crime in different countries. This chapter motivates the issue with an example of the ILOVEYOU virus and compares the legal provisions to combat cyber-crime in the US and India. The authors find that there are significant differences between India and the US in definitions of cybercrimes. It appears that in the United States, it is a crime to access information that has been declared to be confidential. In India, criminality requires dissemination of the information obtained without authorization. Another notable difference between the prosecutions of cybercrimes in the two countries relates to obscenity and decency laws