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The wall materials such as bricks and blocks play an important role in the building design. In the olden days, it has been practiced by the vernacular method of construction for making bricks by using natural building materials which provide a comfortable living environment to mankind. Many such buildings are standing for a long duration and still mounted as examples in front of us. But in the present scenario, the need for rapid infrastructure growth and lack of skilled labor to utilize those vernacular materials in modern construction has diminished. In this age of technology development, the peopledecided to reduce the energy consumption in their buildings by promoting the concept of construction of low energy buildings using energy-efficient materials especially in wall materials. In this paper, comprehensive review is made on the various walling materials used in the state of Rajasthan such as Jodhpur sandstone, Clay bricks, Adobe Bricks, Fly ash bricks and AAC blocks.

Novel corona virus (SARS-COV-2) is a new strain of corona virus causing COVID-19, first identified in Wuhan City, China. It was declared as a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020. Pregnancy alters the body’s immune system and response to viral infections, therefore, pregnant females are related with more severe symptoms as compared to general population. Not much studies and guidelines are clearly available for the management of pregnant females with COVID-19. We are presenting a case of 20 weeks pregnancy with COVID -19 POSITIVE and how we managed the patient, during the second, deadly wave of pandemic. We hope this case report would be helpful for the clinicians to deal with pregnant patients with COVID 19, keeping in mind two lives are at risk.

In this review paper we have done extensive reading of various research paper on Text Detection and Recognition from images by different authors of around the world. Each research paper deploys different algorithms and strategies for text detection and text recognition of image. At last, we have compared the Accuracy as well as Precision and Recall Rate of the various methods used in different research paper. Keywords: Accuracy, Precision, recall rate, Digit recognition.

The connections between metabolic state and therapy resistance in multiple myeloma (MM) are poorly understood. We previously reported that electron transport chain (ETC) suppression promotes sensitivity to the BCL-2 antagonist venetoclax. Here, we show that ETC suppression promotes resistance to proteasome inhibitors (PIs). Interrogation of ETC-suppressed MM reveals integrated stress response–dependent suppression of protein translation and ubiquitination, leading to PI resistance. ETC and protein translation gene expression signatures from the CoMMpass trial are down-regulated in patients with poor outcome and relapse, corroborating our in vitro findings. ETC-suppressed MM exhibits up-regulation of the cystine-glutamate antiporter SLC7A11 , and analysis of patient single-cell RNA-seq shows that clusters with low ETC gene expression correlate with higher SLC7A11 expression. Furthermore, erastin or venetoclax treatment diminishes mitochondrial stress–induced PI resistance. In sum, our work demonstrates that mitochondrial stress promotes PI resistance and underscores the need for implementing combinatorial regimens in MM cognizant of mitochondrial metabolic state.

The placement of a penile prosthesis has been considered the most reliable and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction in men with failed medical treatment. The 2-piece system eliminates a need for separate reservoir making the surgery easy for the treating surgeon/urologist. We report the use of this two-piece prosthesis in a 50-year-old patient with erectile dysfunction and describe the surgical steps of the same.

Modern smartphones can record high megapixel videos at high frame rates. This paper leverages these capabilities and presents a new method to evaluate dynamics of a representative grooving tool using a smartphone’s video camera. Pixels within images are treated as vibration sensors measuring response to impact-based excitation. Motion is detected and tracked using image processing techniques to give pixel-displacement time series data. Spectra of these data give natural frequencies, and damping is estimated using the logarithmic decrement method. These parameters compare well with those extracted using experimental modal analysis procedures. Unscaled tool vibration shapes are visualized using motion magnification techniques.

This paper presents the use of vision-based methods for cutting tool motion registration and modal analysis. Motion of three illustrative tools were recorded using low- and high-speed cameras with sufficiently high resolutions. The tool’s own features are used to register motion. Pixels within images from recordings of the vibrating tools are treated as non-contact motion sensors. Comparative analysis of three different methods of motion registration are presented to evaluate their suitability for the application of interest. These include variants of expanded edge detection and tracking schemes, expanded optical flow-based schemes, and established digital image correlation methods. Performance of different methods was observed to be governed by the tool’s own features, illumination conditions, noise, and the image acquisition parameters. Extracted motion was benchmarked against twice integrated measured tool point accelerations, and motion was generally observed to compare well. Modal parameters extracted from vision-based measurements were also observed to agree with those extracted using more traditional experimental modal analysis procedures using a contact type accelerometer as the transducer. Since methods presented are generalized, they can suitably be adapted for other applications of interest.

The management of urinary tract calculi has evolved dramatically in children with the development of smaller and more durable endoscopic equipment. The indications for therapeutic ureteroscopy in children have significantly expanded with the availability of smaller caliber endoscopes and Holmium:YAG laser. In this paper, we review our experience of the management of urolithiasis and report outcomes of therapeutic ureterorenoscopy (URS) in children younger than 60 months. We retrospectively reviewed the inpatient, outpatient records, and imaging data of our hospital, of all children ≤ 60 months of age undergoing URS for the treatment of urinary stones. During the study period; 77 children, mostly male (70.1%) presenting with a single calculus and a mean age of 28.97 ± 2.44 months underwent therapeutic URS. A majority of children (71.4%) had lower or mid-ureteric calculi. Pre URS double J (DJ) stenting was necessary for 21 (27.2%) children. A total of 24 (31.1%) children needed ureteric dilatation before the ureteroscopy. Post URS DJ stenting was necessary in 41 (53.2%) children. Stents were retrieved within 10 days of the procedure. Stone clearance rate following a single-stage URS procedure was 94.8%, and 4 (5.2%) children needed additional shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) to achieve stone clearance. Overall complication rate including hematuria and fever was 12.9% (10 patients). Therapeutic ureterorenoscopy in the management of ureteric and selective renal pelvic calculi is safe and effective. It can be considered as the first-line therapy in young children.

This paper discusses the evaluation of tool point dynamics using output-only modal analysis methods. As compared to the traditional experimental modal analysis procedures that rely on the input and the output, both being known, output-only methods discussed herein can evaluate modal parameters using only the measured response of the tool subjected to unknown impact-based excitations. Since the input is not known, the estimated shapes are unscaled. To correctly scale shapes, we use the mass-change method. We present analytical models to guide the optimal selection of the mass to be added as well as to guide its placement on the tool. Analytical models systematically characterize errors in scaling the eigenvector and errors due to uncertainties in the estimation of the natural frequencies. The model suggests placement of the mass to be added at the anti-node(s) for the mode(s) of interest. These models guide experiments on two tools – a slender boring bar, and an end mill. Tool point frequency response functions (FRFs) reconstructed with the natural frequencies, damping ratios, and scaled mode shapes evaluated with the output-only mass-change method are compared with and found to be in good agreement with FRFs obtained from the traditional experimental modal analysis procedures. Since output-only methods require one less transducer, and since these methods are robust to uncertainties and inconsistencies in the input, output-only methods promise advantages from the industrial point of view.

Background: COPD exacerbations were diagnosed based on the clinical parameters only. Till now we were unable to find out a reliable blood based biomarker. Serum IgE is one of the measurements of airway inflammation which is well established in asthma, it’s role in COPD not studied adequately. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted in a tertiary care center. This study included 75 COPD patients who were admitted in our hospital for exacerbations. Exacerbations defined by the GOLD report 2018. Complete history & Total serum IgE levels were obtained from all patients during admission, pulmonary function test has been done at the time of discharge and results were analyzed. Results: In our study the mean value of serum IgE is 416.75 IU/L. Patients who had elevated serum IgE (>100 IU/L) levels were 55 (73.3%). FEV1/FVC ratio significantly high in elevated IgE group (0.580.09 in elevated IgE vs 0.490.10 in IgE not elevated, p more in elevated IgE group (13.7%+185ml in elevated IgE vs 6.4%+73ml in IgE not elevated, p=0.001). IgE elevated patients have seasonal variation history, Biomass exposure history. They had more Asthma COPD Overlap features than IgE not elevated group (p=0.001). Conclusion: COPD patients can have elevated serum IgE levels during exacerbations. IgE may play an important role in pathogenesis of COPD and can be used as a biomarker for COPD Exacerbations. Key message: Serum total IgE can be used as a biomarker in COPD exacerbations. This can be used as a new therapeutic target for the same. Keywords: Humans, Chronic obstructive pulmonary, Disease, Biomarkers, Immunoglobulin E, Asthma.

Introduction: Micronuclei are intracytoplasmic chromatin bodies seen as a result of cytogenetic damage or mitotic abnormality. Assessment of micronuclei in exfoliated oral epithelial cells is a marker for genotoxic damage due to various reasons such as lifestyle factors such as alcohol, tobacco and areca nut, occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens and radiation. Aim and objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the micronuclei count in oral cytosmears of petrol station attendants chronically exposed to petroleum vapors using DNA specific and non specific stains. Materials and Methods: 40 subjects in the study group working in petrol pump stations for more than 5 years and 40 healthy subjects in the control group without any history of past occupational exposure to petroleum products were included in the study. Percentage micronuclei count and micronuclei index were calculated after observing 1000 cells in oral cytosmears prepared from buccal mucosa of each subject and stained with Papanicolaou (PAP- non DNA specific stain) and Acridine orange stain(DNA specific stain). Results: Percentage micronuclei count and micronuclei index were increased in study group as compared to the control group. The results were statistically significant. The values were lower in smears stained with DNA specific stain (acridine orange) as compared to non DNA specific stain(PAP). Conclusion: Micronuclei assay is useful tool to assess and monitor cytogenetic damage due to occupational exposure to petroleum vapors in petrol station attendants. DNA specific stains are better as compared to non DNA specific stains in evaluation of micronuclei. Keywords: Biomarker, Cytogenetic damage, Exfoliative cytology, Micronuclei.

This paper presents visual vibrometry as a new video camera-based vibration measuring technique for machine tools. Pixels within images from recordings of the vibrating machine are treated as motion sensors to detect and track vibrating edges. Modal parameters are extracted from the measured pixel-displacement time series data using output-only mass-change methods. Methods are experimentally demonstrated on a small milling machine, on a slender boring bar, and on a regular end mill. Modal parameters extracted using visual vibrometry agree with those extracted using experimental modal analysis procedures. Moreover, visual vibrometry aids shape visualization and maintains advantages of other non-contact measurement techniques.

Cancer of the penis is an important health problem in India, causing significant morbidity. Involvement of locoregional lymph nodes is the most significant prognostic factor for patients with penile cancer. In this study, we reviewed clinical data of all patients who underwent modified inguinal lymph node dissection as a means to diagnose micro-metastasis in inguinal lymph nodes, and analysed the outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed the hospital clinical charts of patients treated for carcinoma of the penis. Inguinal and distant metastases were assessed by physical examination, ultrasound imaging of the inguinal region, computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis and a chest radiograph. Patients with clinically negative inguinal lymph nodes underwent modified lymph node dissection (mILND) both to diagnose and stage the disease. Complications occurring during a 30-day period after surgery were defined as early and thereafter as late complications. A total of 40 patients with a mean age of 52.27±13.10 (range 25–73) years underwent mILND. Wedge biopsy from the primary lesion had revealed intermediate-risk disease in 22 (55%) patients and high-risk disease in 18 (45%) patients. Histopathological examination of the primary penile lesion revealed a pT1 lesion in 32 patients and a pT2 lesion in the remaining 8 patients. Fourteen (35%) of the 40 patients showed micro-metastases in the inguinal lymph nodes on frozen sections. The mean follow-up in these patients was 56.6±18.09 months. There were no instances of local or systemic recurrences seen in 38 (95%) patients within 5 years. Superficial lymph node dissection and where facilities are available DSLNB remain the standard of care in the management of patients with clinically groin-negative (cN0) intermediate- and high-risk groups. Modified inguinal lymph node dissection would be a safe and appropriate alternative to this in all centres that do not have access to newer modalities like DSLNB, video-endoscopic (VEIL) or robotic-assisted techniques.

Background Evidence-based practice is the cornerstone of dentistry and especially endodontics. Diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment with recent advancement based on evidence would be a great help for the patent satisfaction and treatment prognosis; hence, the aim of present study was to explore difference between perception, knowledge, and practice of endodontists and general dental practitioners (GDPs) towards evidence-based practice and factors associated with it. Materials and methods The present study is a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study conducted among specialists in the subject of conservative and endodontic dentistry and GDPs working in private clinics in Modinagar city, Uttar Pradesh. The study was conducted in October 2019. In the present study, a close-ended questionnaire was prepared to determine the perception and practice of dental specialists. Results The majority of endodontists (31 [35.22%]) belonged to the age group of 36-45 years of age while most of the GDPs (32 [36.36%]) belonged to 25-35 years of age group. The majority of endodontists were females (56[63.64%]) and most of the GDPs were males (50 (56.81]). More endodontists (47 [53.42]) had a positive perception of evidence-based practice than GDPs (15[16.42]). Practice toward evidence was fair among most of the endodontists (49 [55.68%]) and GDPs (54 [61.36%]). Conclusion There was a more positive perception regarding evidence-based practice among endodontists than GDPs, knowledge was high among endodontists regarding evidence-based practice and practice was also good among endodontists. Factors associated with perception, knowledge, and practice among endodontists and GDPs were age in years, gender, year of practice, number of endodontic patients treating per month.

Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is one of the most common surgeries in urology. Intravesical explosion during transurethral resection is an extremely rare event. It usually leads to bladder rupture, which can be either extra-or intra-peritoneal requiring urgent laparotomy. We report a case of intravesical blast in a 70-year-old male undergoing TURP.

Background: Venous thromboembolism which encompasses deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the major cardiovascular causes of death along with myocardial infarction and stroke. DVT is a common problem in non-ambulatory and hospitalized patients. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Venous thromboembolism mimics other illnesses making its diagnosis difficult. In such circumstances clinical improvement often fails to occur despite standard medical treatment of the concomitant illness.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary care hospital in which 40 patients with complaint of limb swelling were included. Risk was calculated according to the wells criteria and confirmed with color Doppler of the affected limb.Results: Majority of people were more than 50 years with male preponderance and with history of smoking present. Subjects had leg swelling with edema and calf tenderness. Results were well established in favor of Wells criteria for making diagnosis of DVT. This criterion showed 100% sensitivity with a negative predictive value of 100% and an accuracy of 90%.Conclusions: This criterion can help the clinicians to treat the disease before it takes a violent course and help the patients live a healthy life. The present study was done in a small proportion of patients. It is highly recommended that thorough studies and researches be conducted so that modern medicine can be highly efficacious, with newer techniques and procedures which can be beneficial for the patients.

INTRODUCTION Proteasome inhibitors (PI) such as bortezomib (Velcade), carfilzomib (Kyprolis) and ixazomib (Ninlaro)) have been shown to be efficacious in multiple myeloma (MM) therapy. However, despite being an effective first line therapy, resistance to PI usually develops, leading to relapse and refractory disease. Previous studies have implicated a role of OXPHOS, glycolysis, antioxidants and serine metabolism in PI resistance. Mitochondrial metabolism plays a central role in malignant progression not only by generating ATP but also by providing precursors for synthesis of several biomolecules such as proteins, nucleotides, fatty acids and antioxidants that can influence the efficacy of MM therapies. We previously determined reduced mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) activity promotes sensitivity to the BCL-2 antagonist, venetoclax. However, the relationship between the metabolic state of the mitochondria and proteasome inhibitor (PI) sensitivity is not fully understood. Unexpectedly, we found ETC inhibition or reduced ETC activity to promote resistance to PIs. Here, we investigate the mechanistic basis for divergent effects of mitochondrial stress on sensitivity to PIs and venetoclax. METHODS We have used RNA-Seq and carbon isotope tracing using labeled U 13C-glucose or U 13C-glutamine, flow cytometry and western blot analysis in MM cell lines treated with mitochondrial Complex I inhibitor, IACS-010759 (IACS) +/- Bortezomib; and immunostaining of MM patient samples and interrogation of Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's CoMMpass Study (NCT01454297, Interim Analysis 15). RESULTS We find that mitochondrial ETC (complex I-V) inhibition antagonizes bortezomib (BTZ) and carfilzomib (CFZ) induced cell death in MM in contrast to promoting sensitivity to venetoclax. Additionally, cell lines exhibiting intrinsically reduced ETC activity were more resistant to PI in comparison to cell lines with higher ETC activity. Evaluation of CoMMpass MM trial (NCT0145429, IA15) and serial samples from 50 patients before PI treatment and after relapse, show pathways related to OXPHOS and TCA cycle to be downregulated in poor survival patients, corroborating our in vitro observations on reduced ETC activity promoting resistance to PI. To elucidate the mechanistic basis of ETC-inhibition induced PI resistance we performed RNA-Seq and U 13C-glucose and glutamine tracing in L363 cells treated with the ETC Complex I inhibitor IACS +/- BTZ. RNA-Seq analysis and further confirmation by western blot analysis reveals integrated stress response (ISR) upregulation, ATF4 induction, and suppression of protein translation and global protein ubiquitination levels, likely responsible for resistance to proteasome inhibition in cells co-treated with IACS and BTZ compared to BTZ alone. Stable isotope tracing reveals an upregulation of reductive carboxylation; while RNA-Seq data and flow cytometry demonstrate increase in the cystine/glutamate transporter SLC7A11. The ensuing metabolic rewiring in mitochondrially suppressed MM induces several metabolic vulnerabilities including sensitivity to the SLC7A11 inhibitor, erastin. We also show that knockdown of ATF4 re-sensitizes ETC-inhibited cells to BTZ while ablating sensitivity to venetoclax (previously reported). Furthermore, examination of patient samples demonstrates inter-cellular heterogeneity in ATF4 expression. Our results thus, support the role ATF4 as key determinants of PI and BCL-2 antagonist efficacy. CONCLUSION We show mitochondrial ETC inhibition induces ISR mediated resistance to PI. These ETC-inhibited cells are however sensitive to BCL-2 antagonists and afford additional metabolic vulnerabilities that can be capitalized upon to target metabolic heterogeneity in MM. Our study underscores the need for implementing combinatorial regimens in MM cognizant of mitochondrial metabolic heterogeneity-mediated resistance. Disclosures Lonial: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; AMGEN: Consultancy, Honoraria; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Merck: Honoraria. Boise: AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy. Jaye: Stemline Therapeutics: Honoraria. Nooka: Janssen Oncology: Consultancy, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Other: Travel expenses; Sanofi: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Consultancy; Adaptive technologies: Consultancy; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy.

Clostridium difficile is a major nosocomial pathogen that produces two exotoxins, TcdA and TcdB, with TcdB thought to be the primary determinant in human disease. TcdA and TcdB are large, multidomain proteins, each harboring a cytotoxic glucosyltransferase domain that is delivered into the cytosol from endosomes via a translocation domain after receptor-mediated endocytosis of toxins from the cell surface. Although there are currently no known host cell receptors for TcdA, three cell-surface receptors for TcdB have been identified: CSPG4, NECTIN3, and FZD1/2/7. The sites on TcdB that mediate binding to each receptor are not defined. Furthermore, it is not known whether the combined repetitive oligopeptide (CROP) domain is involved in or required for receptor binding. Here, in a screen designed to identify sites in TcdB that are essential for target cell intoxication, we identified a region at the junction of the translocation and the CROP domains that is implicated in CSPG4 binding. Using a series of C-terminal truncations, we show that the CSPG4-binding site on TcdB extends into the CROP domain, requiring three short repeats for binding and for full toxicity on CSPG4-expressing cells. Consistent with the location of the CSPG4-binding site on TcdB, we show that the anti-TcdB antibody bezlotoxumab, which binds partially within the first three short repeats, prevents CSPG4 binding to TcdB. In addition to establishing the binding region for CSPG4, this work ascribes for the first time a role in TcdB CROPs in receptor binding and further clarifies the relative roles of host receptors in TcdB pathogenesis.

Hypospadias is a very common congenital anomaly in which the urethra opens onto the ventral aspect of the penis rather than at the tip. It has an incidence of less than 1% of live male births. In humans, anogenital distance (AGD) is a sexually dimorphic measure of genital development. In this study, we intended to examine the association between AGD and hypospadias using a homogenous group of patients. The same investigator examined all male newborns in our hospital, and anthropometric measurements of the anogenital distance were recorded. All the measurements were made in millimeters (mm) with a sliding digital caliper (graduated in millimeters) used for measuring the distance between the base of the scrotum to the center of the anus; defined as AGD. During the period Jan 2015 to December 2019 (both inclusive), there were 28,426 (14,615 males and 13,811 females) full-term live births in our hospital. The gestational age of the newborns ranged from 37 to 42 weeks. The mean AGD was 21.06±5.57 (range 12.11 to 33.14) mm in newborns without hypospadias, 9.92±1.90 (range 8.0 – 13.9) in newborns with proximal hypospadias and 17.03±1.95 (range 14.0 to 19.9) mm with distal hypospadias. In humans, hypospadias is associated with reduced anogenital distance. AGD further decreases with the severity of hypospadias.

Evidence from several studies has shown that the penile length varies among different populations of different racial/ethnic groups. Size abnormalities of the newborn external genitalia may be a pointer to some endocrine and genetic disorders. In this study we have prospectively measured the stretched penile length of all newborns at our hospital in an attempt to define normative data for full term neonates of our region. All live male neonates born at our hospital were enrolled into the study. Stretched penile length was measured from the pubic ramus to the tip of the glans penis using a digital Vernier Calliper. The measurements were taken within 48 hours of birth. Two consecutive measurements were taken and the average was recorded as the final measurement. The mean stretched penile length was 2.63±0.35 mm and the mean diameter of glans was 1.04±0.09 mm respectively. The penile length significantly varied with the length (height) of the neonate as expressed in cms. The taller the neonate, longer was the penis. Similarly, the mean penile length and the diameter of the glans was significantly different (p

Background: SILC can best be described as a procedure in evolution. There is no consensus on surgical technique and exclusion criteria for SILC and conflicting reports regarding the merits and demerits of this procedure are present in literature. Efforts to improve outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy heralded the advent of single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compares single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) with standard four port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC). Methods: All the 80 patients were operated by the same surgeon, all adult patients (>18years of age) with symptomatic cholelithiasis were included and were randomized to two groups, group A consisting of 40 patients undergoing SILC and group B consisting of 40 patients undergoing SLC. Patients with acute cholecystitis, empyema gall bladder, obstructive jaundice, choledocholithiasis, H/O ERCP or pancreatitis, previous abdominal surgery, pregnancy and major comorbidity were excluded. Results were compared with those of standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC). Results: The mean operating time was 58.73 minutes as compared to 45.10 mins in SLC. Conversion to SLC was required in 4 patients with SILC and 4 patients’ required one extra port. Mean VAS pain scores at 1hours (6.18 versus 6.53, p=0.206), at 6 hours (5.6 versus 6.12, p=0.112), and next morning (4.85 versus 4.75, p=0.772). Mean VAS score (9.27 versus 6.67, p=0.05) and mean VCS score (1.25 versus 4.05, p=0.04) for cosmesis. Additional analgesic was required in 32.5% versus 45% (p= 0.251). Significance was calculated by student "t" test. A p value less than .05 was considered significant. Conclusions: Transumblical SILC is a superior alternative when cosmesis is considered and is comparable to SLC in terms of post-operative pain, hospital stay but the operative time is significantly more.

Markowitz Portfolio theory under-estimates the risk associated with the return of a portfolio in case of high dimensional data. El Karoui mathematically proved this in [1] and suggested improved estimators for unbiased estimation of this risk under specific model assumptions. Norm constrained portfolios have recently been studied to keep the effective dimension low. In this paper we consider three sets of high dimensional data, the stock market prices for three countries, namely US, UK and India. We compare the Markowitz efficient frontier to those obtained by unbiasedness corrections and imposing norm-constraints in these real data scenarios. We also study the out-of-sample performance of the different procedures. We find that the 2-norm constrained portfolio has best overall performance.

Background: Muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is an aggressive malignancy, with 5-year survival rates ranging from 36% to 48% for pT3-4/pN+ tumors. Radical cystectomy (RC) remains the gold-standard treatment for the management of MIBC. Perioperative treatment can improve overall survival (OS), with more robust evidence favoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Objective: This review aims to discuss the historical perspectives, recent advances, experimental therapies, and current evidence for the use of various chemotherapeutic drugs in a neo-adjuvant setting for the treatment of MIBC. Data Sources: We searched and analyzed research articles, reviews, clinical trials, and meta-analyses addressing NAC in the management of MIBC. Results: The advantages of NAC in MIBC include the delivery of chemotherapy at the earliest time point when the micrometastatic burden is presumed to be the lowest. It has improved patient compliance and better tolerability in preoperative period with more number of patients completing the therapy. It reflects in vivo chemosensitivity of urothelial cancer along with favorable pathological outcomes in individual showing response. Delay in RC in nonresponders and overtreatment in low-stage disease are the potential disadvantages. Conclusion: NAC in MIBC is associated with improved OS. Cisplatin-based NAC is the current standard of care in eligible patients.

INTRODUCTION: An outbreak of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was noted in December 2019, affecting Wuhan city, Hubei Province, in China. It soon spread to other areas across the world. It is well known that the diffuse alveolar damage and acute respiratory failure caused by the coronavirus remain the main features; however, the involvement of other organs is also noted. In this review, we have attempted to determine the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a literature search for relevant research papers published till April 25, 2020, using the electronic Google Scholar and PubMed database with the following terms: COVID-19, acute kidney injury, renal failure, and outcome. RESULTS: We found 16 articles related to AKI and COVID-19 in the English language from the Google Scholar database and PubMed database. Of these, six articles from China were directly related to the AKI in patients with COVID-19. Forty-nine percent (49.7%) of the admitted patients had comorbidities. Thirty patients (2%) out of 1430 patients had chronic kidney disease before admission. A total of 139 patients (9.36%) developed AKI during hospital admission. A total of 51 patients (52%) with AKI died during the course of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of AKI in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 was around 9%. Coexisting chronic kidney disease and other comorbidities were risk factors for the development of AKI. AKI was associated with a higher mortality in these patients.

Driver assistance systems, that rely on vehicular sensors such as cameras, LIDAR and other on-board diagnostic sensors, have progressed rapidly in recent years to increase road safety. Road conditions in developing countries like India are chaotic where roads are not well maintained and thus vehicular sensors alone do not suffice in detecting impending collisions. In this paper, we investigate a collaborative driver assistance system "DRIZY: DRIve eaSY" for such scenarios where inference is drawn from on-board camera feed to alert drivers of obstacles ahead and the cloud uses GPS sensor data uploaded by all vehicles to alert drivers of vehicles in potential collision trajectory. Thus, we combine computer vision and vehicle-to-cloud communication to create comprehensive situational awareness. We prototype our system to consider two types of collisions: vehicle-to-vehicle collisions based on uploading GPS sensor data of vehicles to cloud and vehicle-to-pedestrian collisions based on detecting pedestrians from vehicle's dashboard camera feed. Sensor data processing in each vehicle occurs on smartphone for GPS values which are then uploaded to cloud and on raspberry pi3 for video feeds to make a cost-effective solution. Experiments over both 4G and wireless networks in India show that collaborative driver assistance is feasible in low traffic density within acceptable driver reaction time of