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Adaptive Class Learning to Screen Diabetic Disorders in Fundus Images of Eye
No full textThe prevalence of ocular illnesses is growing globally, presenting a substantial public health challenge. Early detection and timely intervention are crucial for averting visual impairment and enhancing patient prognosis. This research introduces a new framework called Class Extension with Limited Data (CELD) to train a classifier to categorize retinal fundus images. The classifier is initially trained to identify relevant features concerning Healthy and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) classes and later fine-tuned to adapt to the task of classifying the input images into three classes, viz. Healthy, DR and Glaucoma. This strategy allows the model to gradually enhance its classification capabilities, which is beneficial in situations where there are only a limited number of labeled datasets available. Perturbation methods are also used to identify the input image characteristics responsible for influencing the model’s decision-making process. We achieve an overall accuracy of 91% on publicly available datasets
Contribution of cryoconite holes in the supraglacial discharge of bioavailable iron in Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica
No full textSupraglacial discharge of limiting micronutrients such as iron (Fe) into high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) regions like the Southern Ocean has recently drawn global attention. In this study, we aim to understand the contribution of cryoconite holes (comprising a meltwater column with an underlying layer of sediment) to the discharge of Fe through the glacier runoff. Cryoconite hole meltwater collected from the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica showed a higher concentration of dissolved Fe (dFe: 71.2 μgL−1) and total Fe extractable from suspended sediments (exFe: 362.1 μgL−1) than in the adjacent streams (dFe: 30.5 μgL−1; exFe: 21.2 μgL−1) and melt pools (dFe: 42.3 μgL−1; exFe: 5.8 μgL−1). Predictive pathways (using PICRUSt2) show that cryoconite hole bacterial communities could acquire Fe and other trace elements using different mechanisms, such as the biosynthesis of siderophores, and transport proteins, therefore influencing the trace metal chemistry in these and other environments that drain cryoconite hole contents. Estimated discharge of dFe (11.4 kg km−2 a−1) and exFe (57.9 kg km−2 a−1) within cryoconite holes are 2 and 17 times higher, respectively than the discharge from the adjacent supraglacial streams, indicating that cryoconite holes are an important source of potentially bioavailable Fe to the HNLC region
High-resolution induction thermography for detection of micro-cracks in Ti-6Al-4V alloys
No full textThis study focuses on establishing a non-contact Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) method for detecting micro-cracks in Ti-6Al-4 V sample using the Eddy Current Thermography (ECT) technique. The study employs an induction coil for heating the sample and a thermal camera equipped with magnifying lenses to monitor surface temperature distribution. The variations in the thermal image signify the presence of defects. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated through the examination of four samples featuring artificially created short notches, representing micro-cracks. These notches vary in dimensions, with notch openings approximately 20 μm, notch depths ranging from 1–10 μm, and notch lengths varying from 5 to 150 μm. The investigation explores the influence of the length and depth of short cracks on defect detection, revealing an increase in thermal contrast with both the length and width of the cracks. All notches are successfully detected using the proposed method, showcasing its applicability for real crack detection. The study concludes with the successful application of the method on a sample with actual cracks measuring less than 10 μm in width, 2 μm in depth, and a length of 100 μm
Benzyl-isoquinoline alkaloids rich extract of Coptis teeta Wall., exhibit potential efficacy in calcium-oxalate and uric-acid linked metabolic disorders
No full textCoptis teeta Wall., an endangered but valuable medicinal species having various folklore uses in Indian and Chinese Traditional system of medicine. Its distribution is restricted to India, China and Tibet. In India, C. teeta is traditionally used in joint disorders, urinary infections and inflammatory diseases, however the scientific validation is missing. Thus, the present study aims to validate the anti-lithiatic and anti-gout activity of C. teeta rhizome extract (CTME) through in-vitro biological assays. The metabolic fingerprinting of CTME through reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (RP-HPLC-PDA) showed the presence of five benzyl-isoquinoline alkaloids, namely berberine (2.59%), coptisine (0.746%) jatrorrhizine (0.133%), palmatine (0.03%) and tetrahydropalmatine (0.003%). The anti-gout potency analysed via in-vitro xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibition assay, followed by HPTLC (High performance thin layer chromatography) mediated bio-autographic inhibition of XOD signifies that CTME exhibit strong inhibition of XOD (IC50: 3.014 μg/ml), insignificantly different (p > 0.05) from allopurinol (IC50: 2.47 μg/ml). The XOD bioautographic assay advocates that the efficacy is primarily due to berberine and coptisine alkaloids. The CTME has significant anti-lithiatic activity, and thereby limiting the progression of crystal nidus formation, mediated via inhibition of calcium oxalate crystals nucleation and aggregation. Additionally, the extract also exhibits potential effect on inhibition of oxidative stress associated inflammation, which plays crucial role in alleviating urolithiasis and gouty conditions. Validating the traditional claims of C. teeta will not only confirm its medicinal benefits for targeted pathological conditions but also enhance its industrial demand
Abating water storage and associated hydrological processes in Indian Himalayan river basins
No full textIn recent decades, the hydrological balance/budget over Himalayan river basins has imperatively become crucial for decision-making in flood risk, water resource management, identifying water-sensitive areas etc. In the present study, assessment of the abating total water storage (TWS) in the three river basins viz. Indus (IRB), Ganga (GRB) and Brahmaputra (BRB) is carried out. TWS contributory factors, viz. precipitation, evaporation, runoff, snow water equivalent (SWE), soil moisture, groundwater etc., are arguably assessed. TWS anomaly and other variables are considered, and corresponding statistical seasonal (winter, premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon) trends are calculated using the Mann–Kendall test and the Theil-Sen estimator. Dominant monsoon precipitation over GRB and BRB and winter precipitation over IRB contribute to the replenishment of TWS with almost a month lag. Still, there are decreasing TWS trends. Most of the basins are drying, though slower during monsoon. Maximum decrease in TWS is observed in postmonsoon over IRB, while GRB and BRB show it in premonsoon. The highest intraseasonal variability is shown by precipitation, followed by runoff. Evaporation shows less variability and is less dependent. Present work will be of utmost importance for the policy or planning for governance at the state level for societal benefit
The ATP-dependent DEAD-box RNA helicase Dbp2 regulates the glucose/nitrogen stress response in baker’s yeast by modulating reversible nuclear retention and decay of <i>SKS1</i> mRNA
No full textIn Saccharomyces cerevisiae, SKS1 mRNA encoding a glucose-sensing serine/threonine kinase belongs to “nucleus-retained” (NR) mRNAs representing a subset of otherwise normal transcripts, which exhibits slow nuclear export and excessively long nuclear dwell time. Nuclear retention of the SKS1 mRNA triggered by a 202 nt “export-retarding” nuclear zip code element promotes its rapid degradation in the nucleus by the nuclear exosome/CTEXT. In this investigation, we demonstrate that Dbp2p, an ATP-dependent DEAD-box RNA helicase binds to SKS1 and other NR-mRNAs and thereby inhibits their export by antagonizing with the binding of the export factors Mex67p/Yra1p. Consistent with this observation, a significant portion of these NR-mRNAs was found to localize into the cytoplasm in a yeast strain carrying a deletion in the DBP2 gene with the concomitant enhancement of its steady-state level and stability. This observation supports the view that Dbp2p promotes the nuclear retention of NR-mRNAs to trigger their subsequent nuclear degradation. Further analysis revealed that Dbp2p-dependent nuclear retention of SKS1 mRNA is reversible, which plays a crucial role in the adaptability and viability of the yeast cells in low concentrations of glucose/nitrogen in the growth medium. At high nutrient levels when the function of Sks1p is not necessary, SKS1 mRNA is retained in the nucleus and degraded. In contrast, during low glucose/nitrogen levels when Sks1p is vital to respond to such situations, the nuclear retention of SKS1 mRNA is relieved to permit its increased nuclear export and translation leading to a huge burst of cytoplasmic Sks1p
Polyadenylated versions of small non-coding RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are degraded by Rrp6p/Rrp47p independent of the core nuclear exosome
No full textIn Saccharomyces cerevisiae, polyadenylated forms of mature (and not precursor) small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) those fail to undergo proper 3′-end maturation are subject to an active degradation by Rrp6p and Rrp47p, which does not require the involvement of core exosome and TRAMP components. In agreement with this finding, Rrp6p/Rrp47p is demonstrated to exist as an exosome-independent complex, which preferentially associates with mature polyadenylated forms of these sncRNAs. Consistent with this observation, a C-terminally truncated version of Rrp6p (Rrp6p-ΔC2) lacking physical association with the core nuclear exosome supports their decay just like its full-length version. Polyadenylation is catalyzed by both the canonical and non-canonical poly(A) polymerases, Pap1p and Trf4p. Analysis of the polyadenylation profiles in WT and rrp6-Δ strains revealed that the majority of the polyadenylation sites correspond to either one to three nucleotides upstream or downstream of their mature ends and their poly(A) tails ranges from 10-15 adenylate residues. Most interestingly, the accumulated polyadenylated snRNAs are functional in the rrp6-Δ strain and are assembled into spliceosomes. Thus, Rrp6p-Rrp47p defines a core nuclear exosome-independent novel RNA turnover system in baker's yeast targeting imperfectly processed polyadenylated sncRNAs that accumulate in the absence of Rrp6p
Role of Lightning Activity in Deciphering Atmospheric Gravity Waves (AGWs) Induced D‐Region Ionospheric Perturbations During Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS) Fani
No full textThe study presents detailed meteorological characteristics of extremely severe cyclonic storm (ESCS) Fani, and subsequent Atmospheric Gravity Waves (AGWs) induced D-region ionospheric perturbations and the role of lightning activity in it. The cyclone shaped as a weak disturbance over the north Indian Ocean (2.7°N, 89.7°E) on 25 April 2019. The disturbance intensified and evolved into ESCS Fani over Bay of Bengal (BoB) on 30 April, had landfall on 03 May, and dissipated after 04 May 2019. What makes Fani unique is its long life span of ∼10 days, and only ESCS to occur after ∼30 years over the BoB. Fani attained a minimum cloud top temperature of about −80°C, and a corresponding maximum cloud top altitude of about ∼17 km. Such meteorological conditions presented a strong convection process in the towering cumulonimbus in inner and outer rain bands, resulting in intense lightning activity. The peak lightning flash rate observed was ∼375 min-1. SABER observations confirmed the coupling of atmosphere with ionosphere with strong AGWs in middle atmosphere during Fani. NWC (19.8 kHz) Very Low Frequency signal intersecting the track of Fani is used to decipher D-region ionospheric perturbations induced by AGWs from Fani. The results show the presence of increased AGW activity in D-region during the cyclone period when compared to that of the pre- and post-cyclone periods. The periods of the observed gravity waves are between ∼13 and 20 min, highlighting the important role of lightning activity and AGWs in atmosphere-ionosphere coupling
Role of Impact Angle on Equatorial Electrojet (EEJ) Response to Interplanetary (IP) Shocks
No full textInterplanetary (IP) shocks are one of the dominant solar wind structures that can significantly impact the Geospace when impinge on the Earth's magnetosphere. IP shocks severely distort the magnetosphere and induce dramatic changes in the magnetospheric currents, often leading to large disturbances in the geomagnetic field. Sudden enhancements in the solar wind dynamic pressure (PDyn) during IP shocks cause enhanced high-latitude convection electric fields which penetrate promptly to equatorial latitudes. In response, the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) current exhibits sharp changes of magnitudes primarily controlled by the change in PDyn and the local time. In this paper, we further investigated the influence of shock impact angle on the EEJ response to a large number (306) of IP shocks that occurred during 2001–2021. The results consistently show that the EEJ exhibits a heightened response to the shocks that head-on impact the magnetosphere (frontal shocks) than those with inclined impact (inclined shocks). The greater EEJ response during the frontal shocks could be due to a more intensified high-latitude convection electric field resulting from the symmetric compression of the magnetosphere. Finally, an existing empirical relation involving PDyn and local time is improved by including the effects of impact angle, which can quantitatively better predict the EEJ response to IP shocks
Unconventional Photo‐Control of Structural Features Using Elliptically Polarized Light
No full textThe holographic interference of either same-handed or orthogonal polarized beams is commonly employed in the fabrication of optical elements as it enables the development of an ideal sinusoidal surface modulation by inducing the mass migration of photochromic polymer. However, this approach encounters challenges in producing multiplexed optical elements with a complex surface topography, primarily due to only sinusoidal surface topography which limits control over the feature's shape and size. Here, a versatile approach is demonstrated for fabricating spatially multiplexed optical elements using ellipticity-controlled orthogonally elliptically polarized (OEP) beams that offer distorted square-like and rhombus-like pillars on the azopolymer layer by asymmetric azopolymer migration driven by spatially varying ellipticity and azimuth angle of interference beam. These multiplexed distorted shapes enable selective energy transfer during light diffraction and also induce π⁄8 a phase-shift to polarization states. Ellipticity control of both writing and interference beams provides an additional degree of freedom for structuring the surface topography of optical elements. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis of the multiplexed OEP surface relief is performed to achieve distinct diffraction properties, thereby rendering its suitability for fabricating complex optical elements