Dimensionality Reduction of Hyperspectral Imagery Using Random Projections

Hyperspectral imagery is often associated with high storage and transmission costs. Dimensionality reduction aims to reduce the time and space complexity of hyperspectral imagery by projecting data into a low-dimensional space such that all the important information in the data is preserved. Dimensionality-reduction methods based on transforms are widely used and give a data-dependent representation that is unfortunately costly to compute. Recently, there has been a growing interest in data-independent representations for dimensionality reduction; of particular prominence are random projections which are attractive due to their computational efficiency and simplicity of implementation. This dissertation concentrates on exploring the realm of computationally fast and efficient random projections by considering projections based on a random Hadamard matrix. These Hadamard-based projections are offered as an alternative to more widely used random projections based on dense Gaussian matrices. Such Hadamard matrices are then coupled with a fast singular value decomposition in order to implement a two-stage dimensionality reduction that marries the computational benefits of the data-independent random projection to the structure-capturing capability of the data-dependent singular value transform. Finally, random projections are applied in conjunction with nonnegative least squares to provide a computationally lightweight methodology for the well-known spectral-unmixing problem. Overall, it is seen that random projections offer a computationally efficient framework for dimensionality reduction that permits hyperspectral-analysis tasks such as unmixing and classification to be conducted in a lower-dimensional space without sacrificing analysis performance while reducing computational costs significantly

Distress debt and suicides among agrarian households : findings from three village studies in Kerala

This paper examines the factors and process underlying agrarian distress in Kerala by undertaking the case studies of three villages situated in Wayanad and Idukki districts namely, Cherumad, Kappikkunnu and Upputhara. The impact of distress on household livelihoods and indebtedness and how they cope up with the situation are examined with entire village and intra village analysis of data. The process of agrarian distress which resulted in suicides were analysed through a few in-depth studies. Decline in crops yield, coupled with sharp fall in their prices, created severe distress in all sections of agricultural population. Many household cope with these distresses by reducing household expenditure, diversifying their household incomes and searching for jobs in other places. Meanwhile, government interventions in terms of PDS, health care provision, education and supply of drinking water gave some relief to the affected persons. However, these measures could not completely prevent the occurrence of suicides among the members of agrarian households. The paper shows that the villages in which household income are more diversified and social networks much stronger, the distress conditions did not result in suicides. Mitigation of agrarian distress requires not only for debt relief but also implementation of long term strategies containing policies to promote price stability, ecological sustainability of agriculture, strengthening of formal rural credit and support networks, and income and employment generation programmes. Key words: Distress debt, Suicides, Agrarian Households, Livelihood risk, Coping Strategies, Livelihood, Livelihood Assets, Institutions, Kerala JEL Classification: Q, Q0

Lease farming in Kerala : findings from micro level studies

Land Reforms Act in Kerala rendered tenancy invalid and prohibited the creation of future tenancies in the State, but tenancy very much exists. It is a consequence of the simultaneous increase in two categories of people, “those who have land but unable to cultivate’ and ‘those who have the labour and skills, but no lands or not enough lands of their own to cultivate’. Macro state-level data on tenancy from sources such as the NSS appear to be gross under-estimations, going by the data provided by micro-level studies in the state. This paper examines some micro-level studies on tenancy in Kerala, more specifically, its prevalence across locations and crops, characteristics of lessors and lessees, the terms of lease, and the income derived from lease cultivation and in the light of the analysis, argues for institutionalised arrangements for the expansion of lease cultivation, rather than sterner measures to check it. Among other factors, large-scale entry of self-help groups into the lease market to take up lease cultivation, often bringing hitherto fallowed lands into production, has prompted such a positioning. Key Words: Lease farming, Commercial Cultivation, Sustainable Agriculture JEL Classification: Q10, Q1

Livelihood risks and coping strategies : a case study in the agrarian village of Cherumad, Kerala

This paper examines the various dimensions of livelihood risk as informed by a in-depth case study of an agrarian village namely, Cherumad in Kerala. The livelihood risk in Cherumad since the last quarter of the 1990’s has been unique and unprecedented in their nature and intensity. The effect of price risk and productivity risk of crops became an income risk to the farming community. For agricultural labour too it was an income risk with double effects of wage risk and employment risk. These risk have resulted in a general fall in the living standards of people. The livelihood dynamics in Cherumad shows that improvement in livelihood assets improves livelihood outcomes and vice versa. Institutions (both formal and informal) affect access to assets and livelihood outcomes. Across socio-economic groups, livelihood outcome are determined by the portfolio of livelihood assets, especially land. The households have developed a number of coping strategies in response to distress. These strategies are meant to smooth consumption and income and rebuilding household livelihood. In this context, the overall emphasis of state intervention should be in strengthening their livelihood assets. Key words: Livelihood risk, Coping Strategies, Livelihood, Livelihood Assets, Institutions, Kerala JEL Classification: Q, Q 00

NEVIRAPINE INDUCED STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are one of the major reasons for morbidity and mortality in India, but they often go undetected and under reported. Nevirapine (NVP) is one of the first line agents used for anti retroviral treatment (ART) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It is known to cause mild skin rash among these individuals during the first weeks of therapy, however Stevens Johnsons Syndrome (SJS) is rare. Here we report afifty three-year-old HIV positive individual presenting with maculopapular rash all over the body and ulcerations of the oral and genital mucosa following administration of NVP. He was diagnosed to have SJS. The symptoms resolved completely 2 weeks after stopping the drug. Causality assessment using Naranjo and the World Health Organisation (WHO) probability scale indicated a probable relationship between the patient's symptoms and the use of NVP. Thus, clinicians should be vigilant to allow early detection of these problems, as the early diagnosis and treatment of SJS can reduce the morbidity and mortality considerably.Â

Dynamics of irrigation institutions : case study of a village Panchayat in Kerala

Based on field work in a village panchayat in Kerala, analyzing the complex issues concerning the development and working of irrigation institutions, the present study reveals that successful management of irrigation is contingent upon the level of participation of the water users in the management. By comparing irrigation institutions under different property rights, the study identifies the significant factors that contribute to the success and sustainability of irrigation institutions. It is found that albeit the physical characteristics of irrigation systems and the heterogeneities of the members of the user groups do impact the outcome, it is the institutional environment as reflected in the presence of clear as well as flexible systems of rules and regulations, enforcement mechanisms, nesting and networking of such institutions etc. that have become the most crucial determinants. For this, presence of able and fair leadership and the manoeuvring of various sources of power are found to be essential. Keywords: irrigation, institutions, water management, irrigation organisations, sustainability JEL Classification: D7, H4, Q15, Q2

Agrarian distress and livelihood strategies : a study in Pulpalli Panchayat, Wayanad District, Kerala

This paper examines the household livelihood strategies under agrarian distress in Pulpalli Panchayat of Kerala. It also looks at the relationship between household assets and livelihood strategies. The negotiations of institutions by the marginalized and depressed sections of the society were analysed in detail. Major causes of agrarian distress in the study area are the ecological degradation and fall in crops income. Land continues to be the most important asset determining livelihood outcomes. The livelihood strategies have been investigated in relation to land, education, housing pattern, investments & credit facilities, and participation in organizational activities. The livelihood strategies adopted by farmers in the wake of agrarian crisis includes diversification of agriculture, share cropping, organic farming, self-help group activities, cattle rearing, migration and exchange of labour. Livelihood strategies varied across socio-economic groups as farmers owning better landholdings diversified cropping patterns while poor households participated in the activities of SHGs. Casual agricultural labourers and marginal farmers moved to other places in search of jobs. Mitigation of agrarian distress requires public provision of education, health and other social safety measures. Key words: Livelihood risk, Coping Strategies, Livelihood, Livelihood Assets, Institutions, Wayanad, Kerala JEL Classification: Q, Q 0

Adenosine deaminase as marker of insulin resistance

Background:Type-2 diabetes complications contribute to increased morbidity and mortality and hence early diagnosis and control of diabetes is necessary. Adenosine deaminase activity is present in almost all human tissues, but the highest levels are found in lymphoid system. Aim of the study was to identify the correlation between adenosine deaminase levels and insulin resistance in type-2 diabetics and serum adenosine deaminase levels and glycemic control.Methods: In this case control study, patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus, attending out-patient department or admitted in the hospital during the study period, fulfilling the study criteria were taken up.Results: 200 patients were included in the study, with 100 patients in the case and controls group respectively. The mean body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, post prandial blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting serum insulin levels, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index values were found to be significantly elevated (p<0.0001) in case group compared to controls. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index was significantly reduced (p<0.0001) in study group compared to controls. Adenosine deaminase  levels were significantly high (p<0.0001) in the study group compared to the control group, with a mean value of 22.35 U/L against 4.38 U/L. Adenosine deaminase levels were found to have a linear association with elevated fasting blood sugar and post prandial blood sugar, with a statistical significance (p<0.0001).Conclusions: We identified that the highest Adenosine deaminase levels were detected in poorly controlled type-2 diabetes mellitus. Adenosine deaminase levels were found to have positive correlation with body mass index, fasting blood sugar and post prandial blood sugar levels. Adenosine deaminase levels were also positively correlated with insulin resistance, as calculated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Adenosine deaminase levels were found to have an inversely proportional correlation with quantitative insulin sensitivity check index.

An Effective Transfer Learning Based Landmark Detection Framework For UAV-Based Aerial Imagery Of Urban Landscapes

Aerial imagery captured through airborne sensors mounted on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), aircrafts, satellites, etc. in the form of RGB, LiDAR, multispectral or hyperspectral images provide a unique perspective for a variety of applications. These sensors capture high-resolution images that can be used for applications related to mapping, surveying, and monitoring of crops, infrastructure, and natural resources. Deep learning based algorithms are often the forerunners in facilitating practical solutions for such data-centric applications. Deep learning-based landmark detection is one such application which involves the use of deep learning algorithms to accurately identify and locate landmarks of interest in images captured through UAVs. This study proposes an efficient transfer learning method for feature extraction using a ResNet50 architecture, paired with a FasterRCNN object detection for an automated landmark detection framework. Additionally, a novel technique for hierarchical image annotation and synthetic sampling is also introduced to address the issue of class imbalance. Empirical results prove that our proposed approach outperforms other state-of-the-art landmark detection methodologies compared