Shadow removal utilizing multiplicative fusion of texture and colour features for surveillance image

Automated surveillance systems often identify shadows as parts of a moving object which jeopardized subsequent image processing tasks such as object identification and tracking. In this thesis, an improved shadow elimination method for an indoor surveillance system is presented. This developed method is a fusion of several image processing methods. Firstly, the image is segmented using the Statistical Region Merging algorithm to obtain the segmented potential shadow regions. Next, multiple shadow identification features which include Normalized Cross-Correlation, Local Color Constancy and Hue-Saturation-Value shadow cues are applied on the images to generate feature maps. These feature maps are used for identifying and removing cast shadows according to the segmented regions. The video dataset used is the Autonomous Agents for On-Scene Networked Incident Management which covers both indoor and outdoor video scenes. The benchmarking result indicates that the developed method is on-par with several normally used shadow detection methods. The developed method yields a mean score of 85.17% for the video sequence in which the strongest shadow is present and a mean score of 89.93% for the video having the most complex textured background. This research contributes to the development and improvement of a functioning shadow eliminator method that is able to cope with image noise and various illumination changes

Stacking of G-quadruplexes: NMR structure of a G-rich oligonucleotide with potential anti-HIV and anticancer activity†

G-rich oligonucleotides T30695 (or T30923), with the sequence of (GGGT)4, and T40214, with the sequence of (GGGC)4, have been reported to exhibit anti-HIV and anticancer activity. Here we report on the structure of a dimeric G-quadruplex adopted by a derivative of these sequences in K+ solution. It comprises two identical propeller-type parallel-stranded G-quadruplex subunits each containing three G-tetrad layers that are stacked via the 5′-5′ interface. We demonstrated control over the stacking of the two monomeric subunits by sequence modifications. Our analysis of possible structures at the stacking interface provides a general principle for stacking of G-quadruplexes, which could have implications for the assembly and recognition of higher-order G-quadruplex structures

Automatic work piece locating, clamping and setup system for machining centers

47 p.Quality improvement should be the main objective of automation. However, with rising labour costs, it is becoming more attractive to automate just to reduce labour costs. This is particularly so as demands of present day consumers are high. Not only do they look for high quality, but also aesthetics and originality at low prices.RP-M-87-3

Clinical and prognostic relevance of sST2 in adults with dengue-associated cardiac impairment and severe dengue

Dengue can be complicated by severe outcomes including cardiac impairment, and the lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers poses a challenge in managing febrile dengue patients. Here, we investigated the functionality of soluble suppressor of tumorigenicity (sST2) as a predictive marker of severe dengue and its association in dengue-associated cardiac impairment.Nanyang Technological UniversityNational Medical Research Council (NMRC)Published versionThis study was funded by Clinician Scientist Award INV 15nov007 awarded to TWY and National Centre for Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant FY202008AT awarded to AT; AT is supported by LKC Medicine Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship and Nanyang Technological University Research Scholarship Block; PYC was supported by NMRC Research Training Fellowship PYC (NMRC/Fellowship/0056/2018)

An unexpected revelation in a child with recurrent severe headaches

10.1111/jpc.15261JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH57

Malaria in pregnancy: from placental infection to its abnormal development and damage

Malaria remains a global health burden with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for the highest mortality and morbidity. Malaria in pregnancy can lead to the development of placental malaria, where P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes adhere to placental receptors, triggering placental inflammation and subsequent damage, causing harm to both mother and her infant. Histopathological studies of P. falciparum-infected placentas revealed various placental abnormalities such as excessive perivillous fibrinoid deposits, breakdown of syncytiotrophoblast integrity, trophoblast basal lamina thickening, increased syncytial knotting, and accumulation of mononuclear immune cells within intervillous spaces. These events in turn, are likely to impair placental development and function, ultimately causing placental insufficiency, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery and low birth weight. Hence, a better understanding of the mechanisms behind placental alterations and damage during placental malaria is needed for the design of effective interventions. In this review, using evidence from human studies and murine models, an integrated view on the potential mechanisms underlying placental pathologies in malaria in pregnancy is provided. The molecular, immunological and metabolic changes in infected placentas that reflect their responses to the parasitic infection and injury are discussed. Finally, potential models that can be used by researchers to improve our understanding on the pathogenesis of malaria in pregnancy and placental pathologies are presented.Nanyang Technological UniversityPublished versionCLLC received support from Ministry of Education (MOE) Fundamental Research Grant Scheme of Malaysia: FRGS/1/2020/SKK0/TAYLOR/02/1. AT was supported by the Nanyang Technological University Research Scholarship Block Fellowship of Singapore and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine start up grant. TWY was supported by Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine Singapore, Start-up grant

Robotic Delivery System for Multi-Storey Condominium Complexes

In certain environments like condominium complexes, couriers are only allowed to drop off their payloads at designated drop-off stations instead of delivering it directly to the recipient. This practice has become more common in condominium during the Covid-19 pandemic, in part due to government SOPs encouraging their adoption. This project aims to develop a partially automated delivery system using robot couriers that would deliver the payloads from the drop-off stations directly to the recipient, removing the need for manual collection. The system is made up of a central database, a simulated delivery robot and two Android applications for interfacing with the system. The applications and database are used to arrange the delivery request and the robot services it by navigating the complex. The Robotic Multi-Storey Delivery System is able to perform deliveries within a controlled condominium environment, use QR codes to verify recipients and displays the system status clearly on a dashboard which is linked to a database. It is a fully software project where a simulated environment for robot delivery system was developed

Gate-Defined Quantum Confinement in CVD 2D WS2

10.1002/adma.202103907ADVANCED MATERIAL