Optimization of Deep Convolutional Neural Network with the Integrated Batch Normalization and Global pooling

Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) have made significant progress in a wide range of applications in recent years, which include image identification, audio recognition, and translation of machine information. These tasks assist machine intelligence in a variety of ways. However, because of the large number of parameters, float manipulations and conversion of machine terminal remains difficult. To handle this issue, optimization of convolution in the DCNN is initiated that adjusts the characteristics of the neural network, and the loss of information is minimized with enriched performance. Minimization of convolution function addresses the optimization issues. Initially, batch normalization is completed, and instead of lowering neighborhood values, a full feature map is minimized to a single value using the global pooling approach. Traditional convolution is split into depth and pointwise to decrease the model size and calculations. The optimized convolution-based DCNN's performance is evaluated with the assistance of accuracy and occurrence of error. The optimized DCNN is compared with the existing state-of-the-art techniques, and the optimized DCNN outperforms the existing technique

Association Rule Mining using Path Systems in Directed Graphs

A transaction database (TDB) consists of a set $I$ of items and a multiset $\mathcal{D}$ of nonempty subsets of $I,$ whose elements are called transactions. There are several algorithms for solving the popular and computationally expensive task of association rule mining from a TDB. In this paper we propose a data structure which consists of a directed graph $D$ (loops and multiple arcs are permitted) and a system of directed paths in $D$ to represent a TDB. We give efficient algorithms for generating the data structure, for extracting frequent patterns and  for association rule mining.  We also propose several graph theoretic parameters which lead to a better understanding of the system

Transvaginal Ultrasonographic Findings of Infertile Females in Population of Lahore

Failure of conception in women after frequent unprotected intercourse for one year is known as infertility. Ultrasound examination can detect certain pathologies that may result in primary or secondary infertility. Objective: To describe the various transvaginal ultrasonographic findings of infertile females in population of Lahore. Methods: The study was started after the consent of ethical committee of the University of Lahore. All the patients were registered in this study after signing the informed consent form. Toshiba Xario with transvaginal transducer frequency ranging from 9-12 MHz was used. Pathologies were evaluated through transvaginal scanning and sonographic data was kept in the ultrasound machine. A consecutive sampling technique was used and data was further evaluated with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24. Results: Among 138 females, PCOS was seen in 40.6% of the subjects. The second most common pathology was ovarian cyst which was seen in 10.9% of subjects. And the incidence of multiple fibroids was 5.1% as third most common pathology in both primary and secondary infertility cases. Most ovarian pathologies were found to be bilateral. 12.3% subjects had no findings on ultrasound. Conclusion: PCOS was the utmost common pathology connected with primary and secondary infertility. The second and third most common pathologies were ovarian cyst and multiple fibroids respectively. Keywords: female infertility, PCOS, PID DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-12-05 Publication date:June 30th 202

Stable Patterns of Gene Expression Regulating Carbohydrate Metabolism Determined by Geographic Ancestry

Background: Individuals of African descent in the United States suffer disproportionately from diseases with a metabolic etiology (obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes), and from the pathological consequences of these disorders (hypertension and cardiovascular disease). Methodology/Principal Findings: Using a combination of genetic/genomic and bioinformatics approaches, we identified a large number of genes that were both differentially expressed between American subjects self-identified to be of either African or European ancestry and that also contained single nucleotide polymorphisms that distinguish distantly related ancestral populations. Several of these genes control the metabolism of simple carbohydrates and are direct targets for the SREBP1, a metabolic transcription factor also differentially expressed between our study populations. Conclusions/Significance: These data support the concept of stable patterns of gene transcription unique to a geographic ancestral lineage. Differences in expression of several carbohydrate metabolism genes suggest both genetic and transcriptional mechanisms contribute to these patterns and may play a role in exacerbating the disproportionate levels o

Disease associations of excessive daytime sleepiness in multiple sclerosis: A prospective study

BackgroundExcessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a significant source of disability. Despite this, its prevalence as a patient-reported outcome in this condition has not been well established, and its causes are not well understood.MethodsWe prospectively assessed EDS as part of an observational study for patients referred for diagnostic neuro-ophthalmological testing. EDS was evaluated by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and visual data were also collected as part of a research protocol. Analysis with patient data was performed following the exclusion of patients with known primary sleep disorders.ResultsA total of 69 patients with MS were included in the analysis. The mean ESS was 6.5 with a SD of 4.3. ESS ≥ 10 was present in 23% of the cohort even in the presence of minimal mean neurological disability (Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) = 1.5). The ESS score was not associated with age, sex, disease-related disability, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), or optic neuritis (ON), but displayed an association with visual dysfunction.ConclusionsThere is an increased prevalence of EDS in MS. The increased values of the ESS are not explained by other sleep disorders, suggesting separate mechanisms. Further study of the underlying mechanisms is warranted

ASSESSING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG HISPANICS

Title: ASSESSING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG HISPANICS Authors: Charles S. Layne, PhD1,2, Sabeen A. Ali,1, Maria I. Anez, 2, Daniel P. O’Connor, PhD1,2, Rebecca E. Lee, PhD1,2 Affiliations: 1Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 2Texas Obesity Research Center Purpose: The lack of regular physical activity is a contributing factor in the world wide obesity epidemic. However, scientists are challenged to find methods by which to accurately assess physical activity performed by individuals who are either obese or at risk of becoming obese. The purpose of this effort is to provide a comprehensive review of the literature that involved the assessment of physical activity among Mexicans and Hispanic Americans. Method: English and Spanish language peer reviewed scientific article databases were searched to identify articles that included the terms ‘physical activity’ and ‘Hispanic’ or ‘Mexican’. The time period was limited to 2000 to the present. The original 1120 articles that were identified where triaged in to three categories: 1) Relevant, 2) Possibly Relevant and 3) Not Relevant. The review process consisted of identifying the characteristics of the sampled population, how physical activity was assessed, and whether the assessment of the physical activity was part of a survey project or accompanied a physical activity intervention program. This presentation presents the review of the ‘Relevant’ articles. Results: Currently, 113 articles have been reviewed of which eight were originally in Spanish prior to translation. Physical activity was assessed by a self-report survey in 81% of the articles. The survey’s ranged from validated surveys commonly accepted in the literature (ex. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), to open ended questions regarding the amount and type of physical activity the participants engaged in. In general, the surveys were either translated into Spanish or modified to ask more culturally relevant questions. Approximately 30% of the articles included a form of continuously monitored physical activity over a designated time period with the use of either an accelerometer or pedometer. Eighty three% of the articles included the assessment of physical activity as part of a survey project. Conclusions: Although there have been a number of studies that have assessed physical activity among Hispanics, the vast majority of these have used self-report surveys, many of which were not validated. Additionally, there remains a paucity of physical activity assessment projects completed within Mexico. Keywords: physical activity, Hispanic, accelerometer, review, survey Learning Objective 1: After reviewing the presentation, the learner will be able to identify how physical activity is assessed among Hispanics. Learning Objective 2: After reviewing the presentation, the learner will be able to identify several commonly used surveys designed to assess physical activity

Modification and validation of the Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) for assessing surgical site infection in wounds healing by secondary intention

Background: Surgical wounds healing by secondary intention are common. Healing is often complicated by surgical site infection (SSI). SSI assessment is important to guide treatment but existing methods generally require in-person assessment, making them resource intensive. A validated patient-reported SSI outcome measure may be useful to overcome this limitation.Aim: To modify and validate the Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) for wounds healing by secondary intention.Methods: The 18-item Bluebelle WHQ developed for wounds healing by primary intention was modified to make it applicable to secondary healing wounds. Testing was performed as part of the SWHSI-2 randomised trial assessing negative pressure wound dressings versus standard care. Participants completed the WHQ at five timepoints; in-person (baseline, post-healing) and by post (3, 6, 12 months). A reference SSI assessment was performed by a research nurse at the time of wound healing. Acceptability and criterion validity (ability of the Bluebelle WHQ to discriminate between SSI/no SSI) were explored by examining questionnaire return rates, levels of missing data and total score sensitivity/specificity values (receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC)).Results: Baseline in-person questionnaire return rates were highest (672/686; 98 %), with postal return rates of 428/615 (68.5 %), 274/416 (65.9 %) and 186/296 (62.8 %) at follow up points. Overall, low levels of item-missing data were observed with few problems completing the questionnaire reported. Ability to discriminate between SSI/no SSI was good (Area under ROC = 0.796).Conclusion: The modified Bluebelle WHQ is a valuable tool for post-discharge assessment of wounds healing by secondary intention. It is recommended for use in research and clinical practice.</p

Structure and Stability of the Spinach Aquaporin SoPIP2;1 in Detergent Micelles and Lipid Membranes

Background: SoPIP2;1 constitutes one of the major integral proteins in spinach leaf plasma membranes and belongs to the aquaporin family. SoPIP2;1 is a highly permeable and selective water channel that has been successfully overexpressed and purified with high yields. In order to optimize reconstitution of the purified protein into biomimetic systems, we have here for the first time characterized the structural stability of SoPIP2;1. Methodology/Principal Finding: We have characterized the protein structural stability after purification and after reconstitution into detergent micelles and proteoliposomes using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The structure of SoPIP2;1 was analyzed either with the protein solubilized with octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (OG) or reconstituted into lipid membranes formed by E. coli lipids, diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine (DPhPC), or reconstituted into lipid membranes formed from mixtures of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPE), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylserine (POPS), and ergosterol. Generally, SoPIP2;1 secondary structure was found to be predominantly a-helical in accordance with crystallographic data. The protein has a high thermal structural stability in detergent solutions, with an irreversible thermal unfolding occurring at a melting temperature of 58 degrees C. Incorporation of the protein into lipid membranes increases the structural stability as evidenced by an increased melting temperature of up to 70 degrees C. Conclusion/Significance: The results of this study provide insights into SoPIP2;1 stability in various host membranes and suggest suitable choices of detergent and lipid composition for reconstitution of SoPIP2;1 into biomimetic membranes for biotechnological applications

Tobacco use induces anti-apoptotic, proliferative patterns of gene expression in circulating leukocytes of Caucasian males

Abstract Background Strong epidemiologic evidence correlates tobacco use with a variety of serious adverse health effects, but the biological mechanisms that produce these effects remain elusive. Results We analyzed gene transcription data to identify expression spectra related to tobacco use in circulating leukocytes of 67 Caucasian male subjects. Levels of cotinine, a nicotine metabolite, were used as a surrogate marker for tobacco exposure. Significance Analysis of Microarray and Gene Set Analysis identified 109 genes in 16 gene sets whose transcription levels were differentially regulated by nicotine exposure. We subsequently analyzed this gene set by hyperclustering, a technique that allows the data to be clustered by both expression ratio and gene annotation (e.g. Gene Ontologies). Conclusion Our results demonstrate that tobacco use affects transcription of groups of genes that are involved in proliferation and apoptosis in circulating leukocytes. These transcriptional effects include a repertoire of transcriptional changes likely to increase the incidence of neoplasia through an altered expression of genes associated with transcription and signaling, interferon responses and repression of apoptotic pathways