Exploring Dehazing Methods For Remote Sensing Imagery: A Review

Remote sensing imagery plays a pivotal role in numerous applications, from environmental monitoring to disaster management. However, the occurrence of haze which is atmospheric often reduces the quality and interpretability of these images.  Atmospheric Haze reduces visibility of remote sensed images by reducing contrast and causing colour distortions.  Dehazing techniques are employed to improve the perceptibility and clarity affected images by haze. In this review, we delve into the realm of dehazing methods specifically tailored for remote sensing imagery, aiming to shed light on their efficacy and applicability. We focus on a comprehensive comparison of four prominent dehazing techniques: Histogram Equalization (HE), Light Channel Prior (LCP), Contrast Enhancement Filters (CEF), and Dark Channel Prior (DCP). These methods, representing a spectrum of approaches, are evaluated based on key quality metrics of images, including PSNR, MSE and SSIM

A rare case of spinal hydatid cyst (echinococcosis) presenting with paraparesis

Spinal hydatid cysts, although rare, can lead to debilitating neurological deficits if not promptly diagnosed and managed. We present an intriguing case of a 60-year-old male who presented with sudden-onset paraplegia, an unusual manifestation of spinal hydatid disease. The clinical complexity of paraplegia prompted a comprehensive diagnostic journey involving clinical, and radiological evaluations. Imaging studies unveiled a large hydatid cyst within the spinal canal, with epidural extension compressing the spinal cord. Surgical intervention was undertaken, and the cyst was successfully excised, leading to partial neurological recovery. This case serves as a reminder of the diverse clinical presentations of hydatid cysts and highlights the significance of maintaining a high index of suspicion in endemic regions. Early diagnosis, tailored management, and heightened awareness are pivotal in averting irreversible neurological damage and enhancing patient outcomes in such challenging cases

Pregnancy and labor outcomes in squat versus western style sitting toilet users: a pilot study

Background: Squatting posture may appear outdated and primitive, but in the antenatal period, it is an important resistance exercise to strengthen the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles which are believed to potentially prepare the women for a more natural delivery. No study till date has evaluated the effect of type of toilet seat regularly used during pregnancy. This was a pilot study to assess obstetric outcomes in antenatal women using squat versus western style sitting toilet seat.Methods: In an observational prospective pilot study, low risk primigravida at 28-32 weeks gestation were recruited from the outpatient department and divided into two groups after matching baseline characteristics. Group I (n=50) included women regularly using squatting type toilet seat and group II (n=50) comprised women using western style toilet seat. Pregnancy was followed till delivery; obstetric and neonatal outcomes were noted.Results: Squatting group, as compared to sitting type seat users, had lower incidence of vaginal discharge (10% vs 16%), urinary tract infection(12% vs. 24%), constipation (2% vs. 6%), labor induction (52% vs. 58%), shorter second-stage duration (0.60 vs. 1.24 hours) and a higher incidence of normal vaginal delivery (94% vs. 86%), albeit not statistically significant. NICU admissions (16% vs. 20%) and mean birth weight (2.83 vs. 2.97 kg) were comparable in the two groups.Conclusions: Squatting type toilet seat users had many favourable obstetric outcomes, especially a higher incidence of normal vaginal delivery; although, the difference was not statistically significant. Large community based surveys in this regard can reveal the true effects of squatting type toilet seat on pregnancy and labour outcomes

Enteroviruses in Patients with Acute Encephalitis, Uttar Pradesh, India

An outbreak of viral encephalitis occurred in northern India in 2006. Attempts to identify an etiologic agent in cerebrospinal fluid by using reverse transcription–PCR showed positivity to enterovirus (EV) in 66 (21.6%) of 306 patients. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of PCR products from 59 (89.3%) of 66 specimens showed similarity with EV-89 and EV-76 sequences

A Delphi consensus on the nomenclature and diagnosis of lichen planus pigmentosus and related entities

Background: Although well known in clinical practice, research in lichen planus pigmentosus and related dermal pigmentary diseases is restricted due to lack of consensus on nomenclature and disease definition. Aims and Objectives: Delphi exercise to define and categorise acquired dermal pigmentary diseases. Methods: Core areas were identified including disease definition, etiopathogenesis, risk factors, clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatment modalities and outcome measures. The Delphi exercise was conducted in three rounds. Results: Sixteen researchers representing 12 different universities across India and Australia agreed to be part of this Delphi exercise. At the end of three rounds, a consensus of >80% was reached on usage of the umbrella term ‘acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation’. It was agreed that there were minimal differences, if any, among the disorders previously defined as ashy dermatosis, erythema dyschromicum perstans, Riehl’s melanosis and pigmented contact dermatitis. It was also agreed that lichen planus pigmentosus, erythema dyschromicum perstans and ashy dermatosis did not differ significantly apart from the sites of involvement, as historically described in the literature. Exposure to hair colours, sunlight and cosmetics was associated with these disorders in a significant proportion of patients. Participants agreed that both histopathology and dermatoscopy could diagnose dermal pigmentation characteristic of acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation but could not differentiate the individual entities of ashy dermatosis, erythema dyschromicum perstans, Riehl’s melanosis, lichen planus pigmentosus and pigmented contact dermatitis. Limitations: A wider consensus involving representatives from East Asian, European and Latin American countries is required. Conclusion: Acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation could be an appropriate conglomerate terminology for acquired dermatoses characterised by idiopathic or multifactorial non-inflammatory macular dermal hyperpigmentation

Farmer Assistant Android App

In India most of the population is depending on agriculture and Farmer is the backbone of the Indian economy. The system consists of smartphone applications. The System can be used by farmers on the android application on mobile devices. The paper proposes the utilization of information mining to give suggestions to ranchers to crops, crop data, and distinguishing proof of suitable manure. The smart-phone is used very commonly by everyone who is educated or non-educated. This application can provide different languages, which is Hindi and English this language commonly used and easy to use on the system.

Enteroviruses in Patients with Acute Encephalitis, Uttar Pradesh, India

An outbreak of viral encephalitis occurred in northern India in 2006. Attempts to identify an etiologic agent in cerebrospinal fluid by using reverse transcription–PCR showed positivity to enterovirus (EV) in 66 (21.6%) of 306 patients. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of PCR products from 59 (89.3%) of 66 specimens showed similarity with EV-89 and EV-76 sequences

Patient’s Perspective on Barriers and Facilitators in Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Objective: The purpose of this review is to summarize existing knowledge regarding various barriers and facilitators in the management of Type 2 diabetes from the perspective of patients. Method: A comprehensive electronic search was conducted which included three sources PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, and studies from 1997 to 2021 were included. Around 1687 papers were screened and 46 studies were included in the final analysis. Result: Three major areas of barriers and facilitators in Type 2 diabetes management were identified: Individual factors: factors which are emerging due to a patient’s personal ability to take care of type 2 diabetes (adherence to diet, physical activity, self-monitoring of blood glucose, medication adherence, psychological factors: this includes emotional factors, beliefs and attitude of patients. Organizational factors: it includes diabetes education factors, economic constraints and health care provider’s issues and social factors: this includes factors associated with family, friends, and others social issues. Conclusion: Identifying barriers to diabetes management is vital to improve the quality of care of diabetes patients, including the improvement of glycemic control, and diabetes self-management. Further research which considers these barriers and facilitators are necessary for developing interventions for individuals with type 2 diabetes

Microwave-assisted rapid characterization of lipase selectivities.

A rapid screening procedure for characterization of lipase selectivities using microwaves was developed. The rate of reaction of various commercial lipases (porcine pancreas, Mucor miehei, Candida rugosa, Pseudomonas cepacia) as well as lipases from laboratory isolates-Bacillus stearothermophilus and Burkholderia cepacia RGP-10 for triolein hydrolysis was 7- to 12-fold higher in a microwave oven as compared to that by pH stat. The esterification of sucrose/methanol and ascorbic acid with different fatty acids was also achieved within 30 s in a microwave using porcine pancreas, B. stearothermophilus SB-1 and B. cepacia RGP-10 lipases. The relative rates and selectivity of the lipases both for hydrolytic and synthesis reactions remains unaltered. However, the rate of reaction was dynamically enhanced when exposed to microwaves. Microwave-assisted enzyme catalysis can become an attractive procedure for rapid characterization of large number of enzyme samples and substrates, which otherwise is a cumbersome and time-consuming exercise

Benign Pairs: A Significant Entity in Aspiration Cytology Smears from Breast Lesions

Introduction Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a reliable diagnostic tool used to diagnose breast lesions preoperatively. However, FNAC is also associated with diagnostic pitfalls. Further studies are needed to improve its diagnostic efficacy. We noticed ovoid, bare nuclei arranged in closely touching diads (benign pairs) in a significant number of cytology smears. This prompted us to assess their diagnostic utility. Materials and Methods This was a prospective study conducted in Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra, India. Quantitative estimation of benign pairs per 1000 ductal cells in at least 20 high power field was attempted in cytology smears of 128 cases. Results The average number of pairs in benign and malignant lesions was calculated as 7.07 ∓ 5.96 and 0.28 ∓ 0.78, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the number of pairs in benign and malignant cases ( P < 0.0005). Conclusions Quantitative estimation of benign pairs is helpful in distinguishing benign from malignant cases