Data Analytics and Techniques: A Review

Big data of different types, such as texts and images, are rapidly generated from the internet and other applications. Dealing with this data using traditional methods is not practical since it is available in various sizes, types, and processing speed requirements. Therefore, data analytics has become an important tool because only meaningful information is analyzed and extracted, which makes it essential for big data applications to analyze and extract useful information. This paper presents several innovative methods that use data analytics techniques to improve the analysis process and data management. Furthermore, this paper discusses how the revolution of data analytics based on artificial intelligence algorithms might provide improvements for many applications. In addition, critical challenges and research issues were provided based on published paper limitations to help researchers distinguish between various analytics techniques to develop highly consistent, logical, and information-rich analyses based on valuable features. Furthermore, the findings of this paper may be used to identify the best methods in each sector used in these publications, assist future researchers in their studies for more systematic and comprehensive analysis and identify areas for developing a unique or hybrid technique for data analysis

Association of serum hormone profile and semen quality of infertile males in and around Chennai

Background: The infertility rate in India has also increased gradually along with population growth. Based on the geographic, the prevalence of male infertility varies. It is noticed that around the world 60–80 million couples with infertility problem every year. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between the serum hormones and semen quality in infertile males.Methods: This research study was conducted in 60 infertile males aged from 20–50 years who reported at the Department of Andrology, Kanmani Fertility Centre (Pvt. Ltd.), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The semen and hormone analysis was done in all study participants and its correlation was studied using SPSS (statistical product and service solutions) software.Results: The results demonstrate that among the study participants, 15.0% of them were normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia (26.6%), asthenoteratozoospermia (21.6%), oligoasthenozoospermia (16.6%) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (20.0) respectively. The results of Pearson correlation revealed that TSH, FSH, LH and PRL show a negative correlation but TST level shows a positive correlation with semen parameters.Conclusions: This study concludes that the serum hormones concentration was observed abnormal in infertile males which show negative correlation with semen parameters of the study participants

Response of a single \u27mega intramuscular dose\u27 of vitamin D on serum 25OHD and parathyroid hormone levels

Objective: To determine the changes produced in serum 25OHD and iPTH levels after 600,000 IU of injection cholecalciferol in volunteers. Study Design: Interventional study. Place and Duration of Study: Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from June 2009 - June 2010. Methodology: Volunteers of either gender aged 18-40 years with known 25OHD, calcium (Ca), creatinine (Cr) and phosphorous (P) levels were included in the study. Subjects on therapy like vitamin D and calcium supplements, corticosteroids or anti-epileptic medicines, primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcaemia, with co-morbidity like renal failure, liver disease and history of malabsorption, diarrhea or hyperthyroidism were excluded. All volunteers were given an intramuscular injection of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, 600,000 IU). After 8 weeks, serum 25OHD, iPTH, Ca and P levels were determined again. For 25OHD level, cut-off of ≤ 50 nmol/l was defined as deficient, 50-75 nmol/l as insufficient and ≥ 75 as optimal level. Results: Mean 25OHD and iPTH levels were 35.06 ± 16.6 nmol/l and 81.15 ± 76.78 pg/ml respectively at baseline. Seventeen volunteers were 25OHD deficient. Five had high iPTH levels (25%) (mean 156 ± 123.7 pg/ml). 25OHD and iPTH showed a significant inverse correlation at baseline (\u3c 0.01). After 8 weeks of injection vitamin D 25OHD levels became optimal in 6 subjects (35%) [mean 92.9 ± 16.6 nmol/l]. It remained low in 5 volunteers (25%) [mean 41.6 ± 9.6 nmol/l] while insufficient levels were seen in 9 volunteers (40%) [mean 63.3±5.8 nmol/l]. Follow-up mean Ca, P and iPTH were 2.25 mmol/l (± 0.09), 1.1 (± 0.1) and 47.52 pg/ml (± 22.56) respectively. A significant increase in mean 25OHD level was seen at follow-up (p \u3c 0.01), while the change in PTH was insignificant (p=0.05). Conclusion: Single mega-dose of cholecalciferol achieved optimal levels of 25OHD in 35% of subjects after eight weeks of supplementation

Automated monitoring of dairy cow body condition, mobility and weight using a single 3D video capture device

© 2018 Here we propose a low-cost automated system for the unobtrusive and continuous welfare monitoring of dairy cattle on the farm. We argue that effective and regular monitoring of multiple condition traits is not currently practicable and go on to propose 3D imaging technology able to acquire differing forms of related animal condition data (body condition, lameness and weight), concurrently using a single device. Results obtained under farm conditions in continuous operation are shown to be comparable or better than manual scoring of the herd. We also consider inherent limitations of using scoring and argue that sensitivity to relative change over successive observations offers greater benefit than the use of what may be considered abstract and arbitrary scoring systems

A socio-economic model of Zakah compliance

Purpose To provide a sound understanding of Zakah compliance behaviour, this paper aims to shed light on the relationships between Zakah system fairness, Zakah morale, peer influence and law enforcement with Zakah compliance behaviour among entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach The underpinning model used in this paper is the socio-economic theory of regulatory compliance for assessing the probable determinants shaping Zakah payers' compliance behaviour. Based on a survey of active entrepreneurs in a typical Islamic situation like Yemen, a total of 500 self-administered instruments were distributed to the respondents. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to estimate the compliance model. Findings All the variables included in the compliance model are statistically significant, except for law enforcement. Zakah compliance of entrepreneurs is significantly influenced by Zakah system fairness, Zakah morale and peer influence. Practical implications Zakah institutions and agencies in Muslim-majority countries may use the results of this work to focus attention on appropriate proactive policies to formulate a fair Zakah system, inculcating moral responsibility among Zakah payers, embarking on sensitisation programmes in society as a whole, and being more proactive in educating Muslims in the importance of paying Zakah to the respective Zakah agencies. Originality/value This paper complements the limited literature on Zakah by examining both tangible and intangible motivations affecting Zakah payers' compliance decision

Histopathological Changes of the Flaxseed Extract on Skin Wound Healing in Diabetic Rabbits

BACKGROUND: Wound healing includes phases such as cell migration, extracellular matrix deposition, remodeling, and angiogenesis. There are growing medicines that accelerate wound healing, significantly herbal medications that mainly safe and reliable. AIM: The aim of the study is to examine the histological changes induced by flaxseed oil during wound healing in diabetic animal model. METHODS: Forty-five male white New Zealand rabbits divided into two main groups diabetic and non-diabetic each group is divided into three groups (n = 9).Diabetic animal group include: (1) Study group (adding Flaxseed), (2) positive control group (adding fucidin 2% cream), and (3) negative control group (no treatment) same distribution of non-diabetic animals groups. Four linearshape,full-thickness wounds were made in both sides of the backbone skin in each animal. Tissue samples were obtained at days 4th, 7th, and 14th post wounding for microscopical analysis, histopathological parameters included inflammation, re-epithelialization, neovascularization, and surface closure rates. RESULTS: The study groups (using flax seed) in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups show significant reduction in inflammatory cells infiltration at day 14 (0.67 ± 0.753) (1.67 ± 0.516), and noticeable increase in wound closure rate (4.00+-0.000). Both diabetic and non-diabetic animal groups show high re-epithelialization potential at day 4 and day 7, respectively (2.00 ± 1.549; 4.00 ± 0.00). Diabetic animal study group using flaxseed shows high neovascularization rate at the day 14 (2.17 ± 0.753) compared with positive control diabetic animal group (2.00 ± 0.000). CONCLUSION: Topical application of flaxseed promoted healing process particularly in diabetic animal model by shortening inflammation phase, elevating surface closure rate, promoting re-epithelialization process, and enhancing neovascularization, flaxseed is suggested as a potential effective herbal base medication for facilitating wound healing

The Haemonchus contortus kinome - a resource for fundamental molecular investigations and drug discovery

Background: Protein kinases regulate a plethora of essential signalling and other biological pathways in all eukaryotic organisms, but very little is known about them in most parasitic nematodes. Methods: Here, we defined, for the first time, the entire complement of protein kinases (kinome) encoded in the barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) through an integrated analysis of transcriptomic and genomic datasets using an advanced bioinformatic workflow. Results: We identified, curated and classified 432 kinases representing ten groups, 103 distinct families and 98 subfamilies. A comparison of the kinomes of H. contortus and Caenorhabditis elegans (a related, free-living nematode) revealed considerable variation in the numbers of casein kinases, tyrosine kinases and Ca^(2+) /calmodulin-dependent protein kinases, which likely relate to differences in biology, habitat and life cycle between these worms. Moreover, a suite of kinase genes was selectively transcribed in particular developmental stages of H. contortus, indicating central roles in developmental and reproductive processes. In addition, using a ranking system, drug targets (n = 13) and associated small-molecule effectors (n = 1517) were inferred. Conclusions: The H. contortus kinome will provide a useful resource for fundamental investigations of kinases and signalling pathways in this nematode, and should assist future anthelmintic discovery efforts; this is particularly important, given current drug resistance problems in parasitic nematodes

Dielectric properties of (CuO,CaO₂, and BaO)y/CuTl-1223 composites

We synthesized (CuO, CaO₂, and BaO)y/Cu₀,₅Tl₀,₅Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀–δ (y = 0, 5%, 10%, 15%) composites by solid-state reaction and characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dc-resistivity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Frequency and temperature dependent dielectric properties such as real and imag-inary part of dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and ac-conductivity of these composites are studied by capacitance and conductance measurement as a function of frequency (10 kHz to 10 MHz) and temperature (78 to 300 K). The x-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the characteristic behavior of Cu₀,₅Tl₀,₅Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀–δ supercon-ductor phase and its structure is nearly undisturbed by doping of nanoparticles. The scanning electron microsco-py images show the improvement in the intergranular links among the superconducting grains with increasing nanoparticles concentration. Microcracks are healed up with the inclusion of these nanoparticles and superconduct-ing volume fraction is also increased. The dielectric properties of these composites strongly depend upon the fre-quency and temperature. The zero resistivity critical temperature and dielectric properties show opposite trend with the addition of nanoparticles in Cu₀,₅Tl₀,₅Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀–δ superconductor matrix

Early and non-intrusive lameness detection in dairy cows using 3-dimensional video

ABSTRACTLameness is a major issue in dairy herds and its early and automated detection offers animal welfare benefits together with high potential commercial savings for farmers. Current advancements in automated detection have not achieved a sensitive measure for classifying early lameness. A novel proxy for lameness using 3-dimensional (3D) depth video data to analyse the animal’s gait asymmetry is introduced. This dynamic proxy is derived from the height variations in the hip joint during walking. The video capture setup is completely covert and it facilitates an automated process. The animals are recorded using an overhead 3D depth camera as they walk freely in single file after the milking session. A 3D depth image of the cow’s body is used to automatically track key regions such as the hooks and the spine. The height movements are calculated from these regions to form the locomotion signals of this study, which are analysed using a Hilbert transform. Our results using a 1-5 locomotion scoring (LS) system on 22 Holstein Friesian dairy cows, a threshold could be identified between LS 1 and 2 (and above). This boundary is important as it represents the earliest point in time at which a cow is considered lame, and its early detection could improve intervention outcome thereby minimising losses and reducing animal suffering. Using a linear Support Vector Machine (SVM) binary classification model, the threshold achieved an accuracy of 95.7% with a 100% sensitivity (detecting lame cows) and 75% specificity (detecting non-lame cows)