Object's shadow removal with removal validation

We introduce in this paper, a shadow detection and removal method for moving objects especially for humans and vehicles. An effective method is presented for detecting and removing shadows from foreground figures. We assume that the foreground figures have been extracted from the input image by some background subtraction method. A figure may contain only one moving object with or without shadow. The homogeneity property of shadows is explored in a novel way for shadow detection and image division technique is used. The process is followed by filtering, removal, boundary removal and removal validation

Role of IDH as a prognostic marker in preeclampsia/eclampsia: a comparative case control study

Background: Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder which complicates 5-8% of all pregnancies. LDH is an intracellular enzyme and its level is increased in these women due to cellular death. Serum LDH levels can be used to assess the extent of cellular death and thereby the severity of disease in this group of women. Methods: It was a prospective case control study. Data was analysed using SPSS 16.0. The sample comprised of approximately 154 cases. All patients were of gestational age 28 weeks and above. They were divided into three groups 45 normotensives, 40 mild pre-eclamptics, 41 severe pre-eclamptics and 28 eclamptics. Results: Serum LDH levels consistently increased with increasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, more so with diastolic blood pressure with a p value of <0.001. Most of the women with severe preeclampsia and eclampsia had severe proteinuria and serum LDH significantly increased with the severity of proteinuria (p<0.00). The incidence of operative delivery was moderately elevated with increased LDH level. The mean gestational age at the time of delivery in patients with serum LDH less than 600, 600 to 800 and more than 800 are 37.94 35.36 and 33.87 weeks. The mean baby weight in patients with serum LDH less than 600, 600 to 800 and more than 800 was 2.80, 2.62 and 1.81 kg. Conclusions: Serum LDH values were significantly high in pre-eclamptic patients depending on the severity of the disease. Serum LDH levels had a good correlation with all the diagnostic components of preeclampsia like SBP, DBP and proteinuria, similarly with maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality

Fireside corrosion degradation of ferritic alloys at 600°C in oxy-fired conditions

This paper reports the results of a study carried out to investigate the effects of simulated coal/biomass combustion conditions on the fireside corrosion. The 1000 h deposit recoat exposure (5 × 200 h cycles) was carried out at 600 °C. In these tests ferritic alloys were used 15Mo3, T22, T23 and T91. Kinetics data were generated for the alloys exposed using both traditional weight change methods and metal loss measurements. The highest rate of corrosion based on EDX results occurred under D1 deposit where provoke mainly by the formation of alkali iron tri-sulphate phase

Capsaicin-Induced Ca2+ Influx and Constriction of the Middle Meningeal Artery

Research in the past on transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) has been limited to mainly nervous tissue TRPV1 because of the channel’s role in pain perception. Here, we studied the potential role of TRPV1 in vascular smooth muscle. We have observed that capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist, induced constriction of the middle meningeal artery (MMA). Our goal was to decipher the mechanism of capsaicin-induced constriction of the MMA. Arterial diameter measurements showed that constriction due to 100 nM capsaicin (65.4% ± 3.7, n=7) was significantly diminished in the presence of the voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) blocker 100 µM diltiazem (43.1% ± 8.1, n=7). Capsaicin-induced constriction was not significantly altered in the presence of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium transport ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor 30 µM cyclopiazonic acid (63.7 ± 9.0%, n=5) compared to control arteries (58.4 ± 8.6%, n=5). The unaltered capsaicin-induced constriction of the MMA in the presence of a SERCA inhibitor suggests that calcium-induced calcium release does not contribute to the overall calcium influx mechanism within the smooth muscle cells of the MMA. The diminished capsaicin-induced constriction of the MMA in the presence of a VDCC blocker suggests that sodium entry through TRPV1 channels can possibly lead to the membrane potential depolarization and increased activity of VDCCs causing further calcium influx. Furthermore, since the capsaicin effect was not abolished by the blockage of VDCCs, our data suggest that calcium entry through TRPV1 is sufficient to cause approximately 65% of the total constriction of the MMA in response to activation of TRPV1

An Analysis of Renewable Energy Usage by Mobile Data Network Operators

The exponential growth in mobile data traffic has resulted in massive energy usage and therefore has increased the carbon footprint of the Internet. Data network operators have taken significant initiatives to mitigate the negative impacts of carbon emissions (CE). Renewable Energy Sources (RES) have emerged as the most promising way to reduce carbon emissions. This article presents the role of renewable energy (RE) in minimizing the environmental impacts of mobile data communications for achieving a greener environment. In this article, an analysis of some selected mobile data network operators’ energy consumption (EC) has been presented. Based on the current statistics of different mobile network operators, the future energy values are estimated. These estimations of carbon emissions are based on the predicted data traffic in the coming years and the percentage consumption of energy from renewable sources by the network operators. The analysis presented in this article would be helpful to develop and implement energy policies that accelerate the process of increasing the renewable shares in total energy requirements. Incrementing the share of renewable energy in total energy requirements can be a way forward to reach Goal 7 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Freely falling bodies in a standing-wave spacetime

We study the motion of free masses subject to the influence of standing gravitational waves in the polarized Gowdy cosmology with a three-torus topology. We show that antinodes attract freely falling particles and we trace the velocity memory effect.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures; minor changes to match published versio

TO STUDY PRESCRIPTION PATTERN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: The leading cause of disability is arthritis among adults worldwide. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disease and the leading cause of pain in elderly people. The aim of the study was to study the prescription pattern in the management of OA. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital for period of 12 months in collaboration with the department of orthopedics. A total of 630 patients enrolled in the present study with fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients’ data recorded in case report form and analyzed to study the prescription pattern. Results: A total of 630 cases were enrolled in this study. Osteoarthritis is more common in female i.e. 55% followed by male i.e. 45% of patients. Old age (39.84%) is most common risk factor followed by obesity (29.68%) in OA patient. Most commonly prescribed drug was diclofenac followed by paracetamol. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were most commonly prescribed class of drug, i.e., 92.19%. In this study, combination therapy most commonly prescribed, i.e., 75.4% followed by monotherapy, i.e., 24.6%. Combination therapy in OA patients two drug therapy, i.e., 88.42% followed by three drug therapy, i.e., 10.53%. Conclusions: The principal aim of drug utilization research is to facilitate the rational use of drugs. The study shows that OA more common in female patient than male patient. The most common disease distribution site was knee in OA patient. Old age was the most common encounter risk factor in OA patient. Combination therapy was most commonly used than single drug therapy

Association of Physical Activity with Co-morbid Conditions in Geriatric Population

To find out association of physical activity with co-morbid conditions in geriatric population, a cross-sectional study was conducted in different cties of Pakistan in 2015. A total of 114 participants were inducted by non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data was collected after informed verbal consent by a validated questionnaire that is Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA). Participants were categorized into two groups i.e. physically active and physically inactive. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 20. There were 66 (57.9%) males and 48 (42.1%) females with mean age of 57.04±7.348 years. Among hypertensive individuals (n=43, 37.7%) there were 39 (90.7%) physically inactive, among individuals having angina (n=17, 14.9%) there were 15 (88.2%) physically inactive. Out of 37 (32.5%) diabetics, 35 (94.6%) were physically inactive. Among individuals suffering from arthritis (n=40, 35.1%), there were 38 (95%) physically inactive. A significant association was found between physical activity and diabetes and arthritis with p-value of 0.048 and 0.029 respectively. Physical activity is significantly associated with diabetes and arthritis in geriatric population. Adequate physical activity should be performed to reduce the risk of co-morbid conditions and improve the quality of life in geriatric population

Clinical and demographic characteristics of psychiatric inpatients admitted via emergency and non-emergency routes at a university hospital in Pakistan

Objective: To examine the differences in the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients admitted through emergency versus non-emergency routes and see if these two groups of patients were significantly different from each other with respect to criteria mentioned in the title.Methods: Retrospective data was analysed in all 2576 patient records were reviewed and these patients were divided in two groups with respect to their mode of admission (emergency vs non emergency). These groups were then compared with respect to sex, age, length of stay, discharge status and diagnostic categories. Statistical package for social sciences version 8.0 (SPSS 8.0) was used to analyze the data.SETTING: The study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, is a private tertiary care hospital with a 13 bed psychiatric facility.Results: When these two groups were compared, significant differences were found, with ER patients having a shorter length of stay and youngest mean age, proportion of females admitted via ER was greater than those in non-ER group. There were significantly more women in each group who were married. The percentage of patients who left against medical advice was greater in the ER group. In both the groups mood disorders including Bipolar disorder and major depressive disorders was the most prevalent category with psychotic disorders to follow. The percentage of patients in both these categories was greater in the non-ER group where as percentage of patients with conversion disorder was higher in the ER group.CONCLUSION: Significant differences were found in the patient characteristics admitted via ER versus Non ER. Shorter length of stay in ER group might indicate an acute episode resolving quickly. Studies need to be done prospectively to determine the difference in the two groups thus ascertaining the level of care needed for each group. Lastly, the high proportion of patients coming through the ER also indicates that there exists a need for primary care involvement in mental health care thus reducing the need for emergency room usage. Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of inpatients admitted via emergency and non-emergency routes at a university hospital in Pakistan

Association of depression with treatment outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A cross-sectional study from Karachi, Pakistan

Background: To assess the associations of depression with glycemic control and compliance to self-care activities in adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary-care hospital in Karachi (Aga Khan University Hospital). Equal numbers of depressed and non-depressed Patients were consecutively recruited from the diabetic clinic. Information on demographic and clinical characteristics was collected in face-to-face interviews and from medical records. Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure depression. Associations of depressed status (HADS \u3e= 8) with poor glycemic control (Hemoglobin A1c level \u3e= 7%) and compliance to self-care activities were assessed by logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 286 Patients were included in this study with a male-female ratio of 1.2:1. Mean age was 52 years and in 64.7% of them, the duration of diabetes was more than 3 years. Depressed Patients were more likely to be female (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.07-3.31), had a family history of diabetes (OR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.26-5.55), and poor glycemic control (OR = 5.57, 95% CI = 2.88-10.76) compared with non-depressed Patients. Depression was also associated with low compliance to self-care activities such as taking dose as advised (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14-0.73), dietary restrictions (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.26-0.79) and foot care (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.18-0.83). Conclusions: Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes who have depression were more likely to have poor glycemic control and lower compliance to self-care activities, and they might need particular attention during follow-up visits