Differentiation of peach cultivars by image analysis based on the skin, flesh, stone and seed textures

The peaches belonging to different cultivars can be characterized by differentiation in properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of individual parts of fruit (skin, flesh, stone and seed) for cultivar discrimination of peaches based on textures determined using image analysis. Discriminant analysis was performed using the classifiers of Bayes net, logistic, SMO, multi-class classifier and random forest based on a set of combined textures selected from all color channels R, G, B, L, a, b, X, Y, Z and for textures selected separately for RGB, Lab and XYZ color spaces. In the case of sets of textures selected from all color channels (R, G, B, L, a, b, X, Y, Z), the accuracy of 100% was observed for flesh, stones and seeds for selected classifiers. The sets of textures selected from RGB color space produced the correctness equal to 100% in the case of flesh and seeds of peaches. In the case of Lab and XYZ color spaces, slightly lower accuracies than for RGB color space were obtained and the accuracy reaching 100% was noted only for the discrimination of seeds of peaches. The research proved the usefulness of selected texture parameters of fruit flesh, stones and seeds for successful discrimination of peach cultivars with an accuracy of 100%. The distinguishing between cultivars may be important for breeders, consumers and the peach industry for ensuring adequate processing conditions and equipment parameters. The cultivar identification of fruit by human may be characterized by large errors. The molecular or chemical methods may require special equipment or be time-consuming. The image analysis may ensure objective, rapid and relatively inexpensive procedure and high accuracy for peach cultivar discrimination.

Nanostructured Ag3PO4 from natural phosphate: High-efficient catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and antibacterial studies.

In this paper, a novel approach was successfully developed for preparing nanostructured Ag3PO4 using Moroccan phosphate as a source for phosphorus precursor. The as-synthetized nanomaterial was characterized using various techniques. A pure crystalline Ag3PO4 phase was obtained after drying, exhibiting a mesoporous structure with specific surface area of 35 m2 g− 1. The use of this simple, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive procedure can be useful for the development of nanostructured Ag3PO4 catalyst with excellent catalytic activity for reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4 as reducing agent. Furthermore, the Ag3PO4 material was also used as an antibacterial agent against Escherichia-coli and Staphylococcus-aureus bacteria.

Extraction-free protocol combining proteinase K and heat inactivation for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR

Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) is the gold-standard technique for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection in nasopharyngeal swabs specimens. The analysis by RT-qPCR usually requires a previous extraction step to obtain the purified viral RNA. Unfortunately, RNA extraction constitutes a bottleneck for early detection in many countries since it is expensive, time-consuming and depends on the availability of commercial kits. Here, we describe an extraction-free protocol for SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR from nasopharyngeal swab clinical samples in saline solution. The method includes a treatment with proteinase K followed by heat inactivation (PK+HID method). We demonstrate that PK+HID improves the RT-qPCR performance in comparison to the heat-inactivation procedure. Moreover, we show that this extraction-free protocol can be combined with a variety of multiplexing RT-qPCR kits. The method combined with a multiplexing detection kit targeting N and ORF1ab viral genes showed a sensitivity of 0.99 and a specificity of 0.99 from the analysis of 106 positive and 106 negative clinical samples. In conclusion, PK+HID is a robust, fast and inexpensive procedure for extraction-free RT-qPCR determinations of SARS-CoV-2. The National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices of Argentina has recently authorized the use of this method.

Recycling silver nanoparticle debris from laser ablation of silver nanowire in liquid media toward minimum material waste

As silver nanowires (Ag NWs) are usually manufactured by chemical synthesis, a patterning process is needed to use them as functional devices. Pulsed laser ablation is a promising Ag NW patterning process because it is a simple and inexpensive procedure. However, this process has a disadvantage in that target materials are wasted owing to the subtractive nature of the process involving the removal of unnecessary materials, and large quantities of raw materials are required. In this study, we report a minimum-waste laser patterning process utilizing silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) debris obtained through laser ablation of Ag NWs in liquid media. Since the generated Ag NPs can be used for several applications, wastage of Ag NWs, which is inevitable in conventional laser patterning processes, is dramatically reduced. In addition, electrophoretic deposition of the recycled Ag NPs onto non-ablated Ag NWs allows easy fabrication of junction-enhanced Ag NWs from the deposited Ag NPs. The unique advantage of this method lies in using recycled Ag NPs as building materials, eliminating the additional cost of junction welding Ag NWs. These fabricated Ag NW substrates could be utilized as transparent heaters and stretchable TCEs, thereby validating the effectiveness of the proposed process.

Use of a near-infrared vein finder to define cortical veins and dural sinuses prior to dural opening

Near-infrared (NIR) light is commonly used to map venous anatomy in the upper extremities to gain intravenous access for line placement. In this report, the authors describe the use of a common and commercially available NIR vein finder to delineate the cortical venous anatomy prior to dural opening.During a variety of cranial approaches, the dura was directly visualized using an NIR vein finder. The NIR light source allowed for recognition of the underlying cortical venous anatomy, dural sinuses, and underlying pathology before the dura was opened. This information was considered when tailoring the dural opening. When the dura was illuminated with the NIR vein finder, the underlying cortical and sinus venous anatomy was evident and correlated with the observed cortical anatomy. The vein finder was also accurate in locating superficial lesions and pathological dural veins. A complete accordance in the findings on the pre– and post–dural opening images was observed in all cases.This simple, inexpensive procedure is readily compatible with operative room workflow, necessitates no head fixation, and offers a real-time image independent of brain shift.

Optical Internal Urethrotomy for Urethral Stricture Under a New Local Anaesthesia Technique

Objectives: To determine the feasibility of routinely performing internal optical urethrotomy for anterior urethral stricture under intracorpus spongiosum anesthesia in an outpatient setting. Methods. In this prospective study a consecutive series of 34 patients with anterior urethral stricture, a dosage of 3 mL of 1% lidocaine was slowly injected into the glans penis. Next, optical urethrotomy was performed immediately with a cold-cutting knife. The effect of this anesthetic technique was evaluated by questionnaire. Results. Internal urethrotomy was successfully completed in all the patients. Thirty-two patients (94.12%) had no pain or discomfort. Two patient reported minimal but tolerable discomfort while the tissue above the stricture was being cut. The anesthesia lasted for about 1.5 hours and was very satisfactory without any complications. Conclusions. Under intracorpus spongiosum anesthesia, optical urethrotomy can be routinely performed in an outpatient setting. With this new local anesthesia, internal urethrotomy is a safe, effective, simple, and inexpensive procedure for treatment of anterior urethral stricture. Bangladesh Journal of Urology, Vol. 17, No. 2, July 2014 p.64-66

Closed reduction and percutaneous k-wire fixation for distal end radius fractures

Background: To evaluate radiological and functional outcome in fractures of the distal radius treated by K-wire fixation.Methods: Forty patients (16 males, 24 females) with different types of fractures of distal radius were treated. K-wire fixation was performed under axillary bolock or general anaesthesia. Anatomical restoration was evaluated by postero-anterior and lateral radiographs obtained preoperatively and at 09 months of follow up to evaluate Radial Height (RH), Radial Inclination (RI) and Volar Tilt (VT). Functional outcome was evaluated using Mayo scoring system.Results: According to Mayo score 72.5% (n=29) of our patients had excellent to good outcome while as 17.5% (n=7) had fair outcome and 10% (n=4) patients had poor outcome.Conclusions: Kirschner wire fixation is an inexpensive procedure that provides anatomic reduction, fracture fixation, and maintenance of reduction with an adequate method of immobilization.