SmartHeLP: Smartphone-based Hemoglobin Level Prediction Using an Artificial Neural Network

Blood hemoglobin level (Hgb) measurement has a vital role in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of numerous diseases. We describe the use of smartphone video imaging and an artificial neural network (ANN) system to estimate Hgb levels non-invasively. We recorded 10 second-300 frame fingertip videos using a smartphone in 75 adults. Red, green, and blue pixel intensities were estimated for each of 100 area blocks in each frame and the patterns across the 300 frames were described. ANN was then used to develop a model using the extracted video features to predict hemoglobin levels. In our study sample, with patients 20-56 years of age, and gold standard hemoglobin levels of 7.6 to 13.5 g/dL., we observed a 0.93 rank order of correlation between model and gold standard hemoglobin levels. Moreover, we identified specific regions of interest in the video images which reduced the required feature space

A quality by design (QbD) twin—screw extrusion wet granulation approach for processing water insoluble drugs

In this study, a Quality by Design (QbD) approach was used to identify the effect of formulation parameters in a twin screw wet extrusion granulation process for the manufacturing of ibuprofen (IBU) granules with increased dissolution rates. A fractional factorial Design of Experiment (DoE) was used to investigate the effect of the excipient composition, binder amount and liquid to solid (L/S) ratio (independent variables) on drug dissolution rates, median particle size diameter and specific surface area (dependent variables). The intra-granular addition of the binder in inorganic/polymer blends processed with ethanol as granulating liquids facilitated the formation of granules at various particle sizes. DoE regression analysis showed that all formulation parameters affect the dependent variables significantly. The enhanced dissolution rates were attributed not only to the IBU particle size reduction and adsorption in the porous inorganic network but also to the high specific surface area of the produced granules. Dynamic vapour sorption showed increased water absorption for granules with small particle size distribution and high specific surface area

Explainable Retinal Screening with Self-Management Support to Improve Eye-Health of Diabetic Population via Telemedicine

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one major complication of diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Progression of DR and complete vision loss can be prevented by keeping diabetes in control and by early diagnosis through annual eye screenings. However, cost, healthcare disparities, cultural limitations, lack of motivation, etc., are the main barriers against regular screening, especially for a few ethnically and racially minority communities. On the other hand, to well-manage and control diabetes, the diabetic population needs to be physically active and keep their weight healthy. From the perspective of Behavioral Science, Some self-management techniques based on motivational interviewing can be utilized to motivate people to take preventive and mandatory measures to control diabetes. However, technical solutions based on `Motivational Interviewing\u27 are still not sufficiently available to healthcare providers who work with the diabetic population. Thus, collaborative teamwork of Computer Science and Behavioral Science is contemporary to improve eye health and the overall health of the diabetic population. In this dissertation, a community telemedicine framework has been proposed and designed which can connect clinicians with community partners to organize retinal screenings in community settings rather than traditional clinical settings. Secondly, automating the initial retinal screenings utilizing Deep Learning models, particularly Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), can reduce ophthalmologists\u27 workload and cost of screening. However, such Machine Learning models lack transparency and cannot explain how these models make particular decisions. Thus, an explainable retinal screening model has been developed to facilitate the recommended annual screening to overcome this limitation. Finally, a Computer-guided Action Planning (CAP) tool has been designed and developed to motivate the diabetic population to adopt healthier behaviors through Brief Action Planning, a self-management support technique. Through several feasibility studies, it is evident that the contribution of this dissertation could be combined to help prevent vision loss from diabetes

Polynomially knotted 2-spheres

We show that every proper, smooth 2-knot is ambient isotopic to a polynomial embedding from $\mathbb{R}^2$ to $\mathbb{R}^4$. This representation is unique up to a polynomial isotopy. Using polynomial representation of classical long knots we show that all twist spun knots posses polynomial parametrization. We construct such parametrizations for few spun and twist spun knots and provide their $3$ dimensional projections using Mathematica

DEVELOPMENT AND IN-VITRO CHARACTERISATION OF CHITOSAN LOADED PACLITAXEL NANOPARTICLE

ABSTRACTObjectives: To meet the above aim the following objectives are undertaken: (1) Preparation of paclitaxel (PTX) loaded nanoparticles by differenttechniques, (2) In-vitro evaluations of the drug loaded nanoparticles and selection of optimized batch.Methods: PTX loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by Ionic-crosslinking technique. In this technique, chitosan was dissolved in 0.25%v/vacetic acid solution. To this above solution 0.84%v/v, glutaraldehyde solution was added dropwise under high-speed homogenizer at 17000 rpm for1 hr.Result: Particle size of prepared nanoparticle formulations was found to be 345.175±5.66-815.125±8.355 nm with low PDI between 0.456. Themaximum entrapment of drug was found to be 88.57±2.533% with formulation F5. In-vitro release studies of the F5 formulation showed 57.8±1.735%release of drug after 24 hrs.Conclusion: The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated for its particle size, zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, in-vitro drug release study,and surface morphology studies by scanning electron microscopy. The results of Fourier transform infrared studies of 1:1 physical mixture of drug andexcipients confirmed the absence of incompatibility. Thus, the study concludes that PTX loaded nanoparticles were developed successfully by ioniccrosslinking method, which is expected to enhance the oral bioavailability of PTX.Keywords: Paclitaxel, Nanoparticles, Chitosan, Ionic-crosslinking, In-vitro release

Productivity Puzzling: A Study on Recent Behaviour of UK and Bangladesh

Productivity is a multi-faceted concept; no single definition can holistically describe it. However, in the simplest form, productivity signifies the ratio between the input and output. In achieving sustained economic growth of a country, increased productivity remains as the key component. Productivity signifies a continual striving towards the economically most efficient mode of production of goods, commodities, and services needed by a society. Prior to the mid-1980s, labour productivity growth was a useful barometer of the world economy: it was low when the economy was depressed and high when it was booming. In many larger advanced economies like UK labour productivity growth slowed sharply and remained subdued for years after the credit crisis of 2007/08. After the early 1980s productivity issues were considered as a priority area for action in Bangladesh: a small economic country, but Productivity has slowed down again significantly during the last decade (2001-2012) because of some reasons. In this paper, we tried to find out the reasons behind for productivity puzzling in UK as well as in Bangladesh. For  UK productivity puzzle, this study considered that workforce composition, lower business investment, flexibility of labour market, Impaired resource allocation, and public sector productivity were the major factors that might have caused productivity to fall and in Bangladesh, insignificant role of allocative efficiency of resources within industry, poor performing public sector, inadequate public sector investment, labor union, firm size and productivity are inversely related were the major factors that might had caused low productivity. In light of these findings, it is found that there is a similarity between productivity puzzling factor of UK and Bangladesh. Performance and investment in public sector and improper resource allocation are common productivity puzzling factor for both the countries. Keywords: Productivity Puzzling, UK, Banglades

Non-triviality of welded knots and ribbon torus-knots

In this paper we study welded knots and their invariants. We focus on generating examples of non-trivial knotted ribbon tori as the tube of welded knots that are obtained from classical knot diagrams by welding some of the crossings. Non-triviality is shown by determining the fundamental group of the concerned welded knot. Sample examples under consideration are the standard diagrams of the family of $(2,q)$ torus knots and the twist knots. Standard diagrams of knots from Rolfsen's tables with $6$ crossings are also discussed which are not in the family of torus and twist knots

Adsorptive Removal of a Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Product Oxybenzone from Water with Metal-Organic Frameworks

Oxybenzone, one of the most often detected pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPS), from aqueous solutions and this PPCPs removal from water had been studied by using the highly porous metal-organic framework (MOF) ) MIL-101(Cr) and a modified MIL-101(Cr) called MIL-101-OH. Adsorption results showed that MIL-101-OH which contains functional group such as –OH, which was very effective for oxybenzone adsorption. The adsorption performance of MIL-101-OH over MIL-101-OH was found to be greater than that of MIL-101(Cr), which means the functionalization of primitive MOFs have a positive effect on adsorption. The kinetics of MIL-101-OH also showed higher result compare to MIL-101(Cr). So along with a high adsorption capacity and repaid adsorption which is important for commercial applications

Leaf phenotypic plasticity of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) at its northern range in Dinaric Alps

The Dinaric Alps have been recognised on numerous occasions as a biodiversity hotspot. They host a variety of species with great importance in sustainable forestry operations and nature conservation. One such species is the European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L., Oleaceae), a broad-leaved, wind-pollinated and wind-dispersed forest tree. In this paper, we aimed to determine the morphological variability of the European ash populations of the northern Dinaric Alps. For this purpose, leaf samples from 10 individuals in seven populations were collected. Morphometric analysis of intra- and interpopulation variability was conducted using 19 morphological leaf traits. We determined great variability of trees within, and small variability among, populations. The variables that best discriminated studied populations were those relating to leaflet shape. Based on these variables, populations were grouped into two clusters. The first cluster encompassed individuals with acute leaflets, found in drier and rockier habitats, whereas the second cluster, defined by more rounded leaflets, was found in mesophilous and nutrient-rich habitats. However, this research revealed no influence of geographical or bioclimatic distances on morphological variability, which indicates that the rockiness and soil are most likely two predominant factors in shaping the phenotypic plasticity of European ash populations. These results are of great significance in the planning of future forest breeding programs, as populations from drier habitats are likely to persist and spread due to their adaptation to water scarcity, which will become more pronounced in the future