A Survey on the Use of Pattern Recognition Techniques

Pattern recognition is an innate cognitive process of matching information from the environment with the information stored in memory. Core methods are successful in many areas of numerical analysis, pattern recognition and machine learning. These are methods which generate an abstracting model from given observations (objects, measurements) in a training step, which subsequently allows generalizing statements for new observations. Various approaches are used to implement a pattern recognition system. In this paper we will discuss Statistical, Structural, hybrid and Neural Network based approach

A study of knowledge and practice for disposal of unused and expired pharmaceuticals among medical undergraduates at tertiary care teaching hospitals in Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Increasing disease incidence and prevalence necessitate healthcare practitioners to prescribe diverse medications. Families and patients are in possession of unused or expired medications and its risks have started gaining notice across the world. Majority of them including medical students are unaware about the disposal of unused or expired medicines. Misuse and improper disposal of unused/expired medications is a major safety and environmental concern, and thus proper disposal of those medications is highly important.Methods: Questionnaire based study was conducted among medical undergraduates of third year MBBS in two tertiary care teaching hospitals of Uttar Pradesh after approval from Institutional Ethical Committees during July-August 2018.Results: There were 65% of respondent had unused drugs in their home while 30% had the expired drugs. The most common reason for the unused and expiry drugs in the home was self-discontinuation. Analgesics were the main group of drugs possessed by participants. 67% in this study responded that drug disposal method was disposing the expired drugs to garbage. Only 26% know about the area in the city where unused/expired drugs are collected. 46% think that proper education of the community is required for appropriate disposal of unused drugs.Conclusions: Intervention by education about prudent drug disposal techniques that are also environmentally safe and acceptable is the need of time to change their behavior. There is also needing to understand the practice and awareness of the public to make any such education by program a success

FireFly Mosaic: A Vision-Enabled Wireless Sensor Networking System

Abstract — With the advent of CMOS cameras, it is now possible to make compact, cheap and low-power image sensors capable of on-board image processing. These embedded vision sensors provide a rich new sensing modality enabling new classes of wireless sensor networking applications. In order to build these applications, system designers need to overcome challanges associated with limited bandwith, limited power, group coordination and fusing of multiple camera views with various other sensory inputs. Real-time properties must be upheld if multiple vision sensors are to process data, com-municate with each other and make a group decision before the measured environmental feature changes. In this paper, we present FireFly Mosaic, a wireless sensor network image processing framework with operating system, networking and image processing primitives that assist in the development of distributed vision-sensing tasks. Each FireFly Mosaic wireless camera consists of a FireFly [1] node coupled with a CMUcam3 [2] embedded vision processor. The FireFly nodes run the Nano-RK [3] real-time operating system and communicate using the RT-Link [4] collision-free TDMA link protocol. Using FireFly Mosaic, we demonstrate an assisted living application capable of fusing multiple cameras with overlapping views to discover and monitor daily activities in a home. Using this application, we show how an integrated platform with support for time synchronization, a collision-free TDMA link layer, an underlying RTOS and an interface to an embedded vision sensor provides a stable framework for distributed real-time vision processing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first wireless sensor networking system to integrate multiple coordinating cameras performing local processing. I

Spectrum of interstitial lung disease at a tertiary care centre in India

Introduction: The available data on the epidemiology of interstitial lung disease (ILD) from India is sparse. Hence, the present study was undertaken with the aim to analyse the demographic profile and clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics along with physiological parameters of various subgroups of ILD patients.Material and methods: We retrospectively studied 289 patients diagnosed with ILD during the years 2001–2013 at one of the respiratory units of Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute.Results: Mean age at presentation was 44.24 years; females comprised 54.68% of the patients. Prior to presentation at our centre, 14.84% patients had been treated with antituberculous therapy due to misdiagnosis of tuberculosis. In the pool of ILDs analysed, sarcoidosis (37.3%) was found to be the most common subgroup, followed by IPF (27.6%) and NSIP (25.6%). Cough (92.97%) was the most common presenting symptom; exertional dyspnoea was found in 79.2% of patients. Digital clubbing was commonest in IPF, found in 30% of patients. Significant desaturation on six-minute walk test was most frequenty seen (50%) in NSIP patients. The most common pattern on chest roentgenogram was reticular/reticulo-nodular pattern (80.2%) and on HRCT — interstitial fibrosis (49.9%). Mean of predicted total lung capacity (TLC) was 64.3%, the lowest being in the IPF group (58.88%). Mean of predicted DLCO was 50.56%, the lowest being in the IPF group (42.75%). The overall diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic biopsy was 83.04%, the highest yield being among sarcoidosis patients (96.29%).Conclusions: We found sarcoidosis, IPF and NSIP to be the most common ILDs in northern India. ILDs are still frequently misdiagnosed as TB, and increased awareness, education and diagnostic facilities are required to diagnose ILDs at an early stage.Wstęp: Istnieje stosunkowo mało informacji dotyczących epidemiologii śródmiąższowych chorób płuc (ILD) w Indiach. Aktualna praca została podjęta w celu oceny danych demograficznych, kliniczno-patologicznych i fizjologicznych różnych typów chorób śródmiąższowych.Materiał i metody: Badaniem retrospektywnym objęto 289 pacjentów, u których rozpoznano ILD w latach 2001–2013 w jednym z oddziałów Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (Indie, Delhi).Wyniki: Średni wiek chorych w chwili rozpoznania wynosił 44,4 roku, kobiety stanowiły 54,68% ogółu chorych. Z powodu mylnego rozpoznania gruźlicy 14,84% chorych było uprzednio leczonych przeciwprątkowo. Sarkoidozę rozpoznano u 37% chorych, a IPF i NSIP odpowiednio w przypadku 27,6 i 25,6% chorych. Najczęściej zgłaszanymi objawami były kaszel (92,97%) i duszność wysiłkowa (79,2%) a palce pałeczkowate stwierdzono u 30% chorych na IPF. Znamienny spadek utlenowania krwi w 6-minutowym teście chodu najczęściej obserwowano u chorych na NSIP (50%). Zmiany guzkowo-siateczkowe w obrazie radiologicznym uwidoczniono u 80,2% chorych, a śródmiąższowe włóknienie w badaniu HRCT wykryto u 49,9% chorych. Średnia wartość zdolności dyfuzyjnej płuc (DLCO) wynosiła 50,56% wartości należnej i była najbardziej upośledzona w grupie chorych na IPF (42,75%). Wartość diagnostyczna biopsji wykonanej podczas bronchoskopii wynosiła 83,04% i dotyczyła szczególnie chorych na sarkoidozę (96,29%).Wnioski: Autorzy pracy stwierdzili, że w północnych Indiach najczęstszymi chorobami śródmiąższowymi są: sarkoidoza, IPF i NSIP. Śródmiąższowe choroby płuc są w Indiach często rozpoznawane błędnie jako gruźlica, dlatego konieczne jest szkolenie personelu i stworzenie ułatwień diagnostycznych, aby były one trafnie rozpoznane we wczesnym stadium

Bronchoscopy in immediate diagnosis of smear negative tuberculosis

Wstęp: Gruźlica jest poważnym problemem zdrowia publicznego. Prawie u 30% chorych na gruźlicę bezpośrednie badanie plwociny na prątki jest ujemne. Prowadzi to do niezamierzonych opóźnień w leczeniu tych przypadków. W niniejszym badaniu zaplanowano ocenę roli bronchoskopii w szybkim rozpoznaniu gruźlicy u tych chorych.Materiał i metody: Niniejsze badanie jest retrospektywną analizą 132 chorych z podejrzeniem gruźlicy, u których nie stwierdzono prątków w bezpośrednim badaniu plwociny i którzy zostali poddani bronchoskopii w okresie 2002–2013.Gruźlicę rozpoznawano na podstawie stwierdzenia prątków w wydzielinie oskrzelowej lub w płukaniu oskrzelowo-pęcherzykowym względnie w materiale uzyskanym z biopsji. Rozpoznawano również gruźlicę na podstawie stwierdzenia martwicy serowatej w materiale z biopsji.Wyniki: Wynik niniejszego badania wykazał, że w wyniku bronchoskopii było możliwe ustalenie rozpoznania w 68,2% przypadków, w których badanie plwociny było negatywne. Potwierdzenie uzyskano po stwierdzeniu prątków w wydzielinie oskrzelowej lub płukaniu oskrzelowo-pęcherzykowym w 51,5% przypadków a na podstawie badania materiału z biopsji w 16,5%.Wnioski: Wyniki niniejszego badania wskazują na ważne miejsce bronchoskopii w szybkiej diagnostyce gruźlicy u chorych z ujemnym bezpośrednim badaniem plwociny. Pozwala to na uniknięcie opóźnień w rozpoznawaniu gruźlicy i nas zybkie podjęcie odpowiedniego leczenia.Background: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem. Almost 30% of cases of tuberculosis are known to be sputum smear negative. There is a diagnostic dilemma in such cases leading to inadvertent delays in management of these cases. The present study was planned to assess the role of bronchoscopy in immediate diagnosis of smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis.Material and methods: The present study is a retrospective analysis of 132 sputum smear negative tuberculosis suspects who underwent bronchoscopic evaluation during the period 2002–2013. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was based on the finding of bacilli in aspirate or in tissue biopsy or the demonstration of caseous necrosis on tissue biopsy.Results: The present study showed that bronchoscopy could lead to immediate, accurate diagnosis in 68.2% of suspected smear negative cases. Bronchial aspirate and bronchoalveolar lavage alone were diagnostic in 51.5% of such cases while tissue biopsy added to the yield in another 16.5% cases.Conclusions: The results of the present study suggests an important place of bronchoscopy in immediate diagnosis of suspected smear negative tuberculosis, thus avoiding inadvertent delays in diagnosing and instituting appropriate treatment

Ecological Footprint: A tool for measuring Sustainable development

ABSTRACT Ecological footprint is a tool which is used to represent the amount productive land area which may be needed to regenerate the resource which are consumed by human population and it also represent the earths ecological capacity to regenerate the natural resources. Each country have its own ecological footprint and its need of the hour to manage the same. In the recent days researchers are focussing on identifying tools and technologies that may improve the environmental conditions and in turn increase overall sustainability. For India, the ecological deficit is 0.40 (bio-capacity of 0.51 against human footprint of 0.91gha/capita). Considerable empirical evidence are available which shows that, while developing nations often are the least eco-efficient in the sense that they consume a lot of resources per unit of GDP, they also consume the least amount of resources in absolute and/or per capita terms. Less affluent nations, such as China and India, need to shift their development strategies away from relentless economic expansion and focus on strategies that improve people"s quality of life. In the recent times, stakeholders from around the world are concentrating more on ways to promote sustainability and decrease environmental degradation. By highlighting the inequities within and between people and nations, ecological footprint provides a useful tool that can help to raise public awareness and shape a healthier and more sustainable future. This paper elucidates the importance of ecological footprint and its importance in improving the environmental standards

A comparative study for antinociceptive potential of vitamin D3 with diclofenac in animal models

Background: Calcitriol is one of the active forms of vitamin D. It not only acts on calcium metabolism but might have a role in treating various disorders also through vitamin D receptors that are present in many tissues besides intestine and bone. This study was conducted to compare antinociceptive activity of Calcitriol with Diclofenac and Morphine in animal models.Methods: In this study, healthy Swiss albino mice were taken after permission from IAEC. Mice were divided into six groups as one control- treated with normal saline, two standards - treated with diclofenac and treated with morphine while three tests - treated with Calcitriol in dose of 15µg /kg/mice, 30µg/kg/mice and 60µg/kg/mice respectively. Comparison of antinociception was done using Tail pinch and writhing method.Results: Tail pinch and Writhing methods were used for comparison of antinociceptive activity. In tail pinch model, Calcitriol showed some analgesia at 30 and 60μg/Kg doses, which was more than control but not comparable with the standard Morphine. In writhing method, test doses of Calcitriol (15 and 30μg/Kg) failed to show analgesic efficacy in inflammatory pain but test dose of 60μg/Kg showed some analgesic activity which was not comparable with standard Diclofenac.Conclusions: Antinociception was exhibited at higher doses of Calcitriol by tail pinch method while in writhing method analgesic activity was shown with only 60 μg/Kg dose of Calcitriol. The results obtained from this study needs to be further evaluated by planning extensive animal experimentation

Impact of sudarshan kriya yoga on mean arterial blood pressure and biochemical parameters in medical students

Background: Yogic life style and various yogic practices help man to strengthen his body and mind. Yogic breathing is defined as a manipulation of breath movement. The practice of yoga has beneficial effect on biochemical and physiological functions.Methods: This study was planned to see the effect of sudarshan kriya yoga on blood pressure and biochemical parameters in medical students at medical college. The study conducted on 30 medical students of age 18-21 years, at LLRM Medical College, Meerut, U.P (India) over a period of three months.Results: The result showed that yoga had beneficial effect on blood pressure, blood glucose level and cholesterol level. The mean blood pressure shows highly significant reduction after 3 months of yoga practice. It was also found that there is significant improvement in Lipid Profile parameters after sudarshan kriya yoga practices.Conclusions: Living a happy and healthy life on all planes is possible through the unified practice of sudarshan kriya yoga (SKY) along with asana and pranayam. The practice of SKY seems to be beneficial on mean blood pressure and biochemical parameters in normal healthy individuals. This unique breathing practice is a potent energizer