Morphological quantitation software in breast MRI: application to neoadjuvant chemotherapy patients

The work in this thesis examines the use of texture analysis techniques and shape descriptors to analyse MR images of the breast and their application as a potential quantitative tool for prognostic indication.Textural information is undoubtedly very heavily used in a radiologist’s decision making process. However, subtle variations in texture are often missed, thus by quantitatively analysing MR images the textural properties that would otherwise be impossible to discern by simply visually inspecting the image can be obtained. Texture analysis is commonly used in image classification of aerial and satellite photography, studies have also focussed on utilising texture in MRI especially in the brain. Recent research has focussed on other organs such as the breast wherein lesion morphology is known to be an important diagnostic and prognostic indicator. Recent work suggests benefits in assessing lesion texture in dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) images, especially with regards to changes during the initial enhancement and subsequent washout phases. The commonest form of analysis is the spatial grey-level dependence matrix method, but there is no direct evidence concerning the most appropriate pixel separation and number of grey levels to utilise in the required co-occurrence matrix calculations. The aim of this work is to systematically assess the efficacy of DCE-MRI based textural analysis in predicting response to chemotherapy in a cohort of breast cancer patients. In addition an attempt was made to use shape parameters in order to assess tumour surface irregularity, and as a predictor of response to chemotherapy.In further work this study aimed to texture map DCE MR images of breast patients utilising the co-occurrence method but on a pixel by pixel basis in order to determine threshold values for normal, benign and malignant tissue and ultimately creating functionality within the in house developed software to highlight hotspots outlining areas of interest (possible lesions). Benign and normal data was taken from MRI screening data and malignant data from patients referred with known malignancies.This work has highlighted that textural differences between groups (based on response, nodal status, triple negative and biopsy grade groupings) are apparent and appear to be most evident 1-3 minutes post-contrast administration. Whilst the large number of statistical tests undertaken necessitates a degree of caution in interpreting the results, the fact that significant differences for certain texture parameters and groupings are consistently observed is encouraging.With regards to shape analysis this thesis has highlighted that some differences between groups were seen in shape descriptors but that shape may be limited as a prognostic indicator. Using textural analysis gave a higher proportion of significant differences whilst shape analysis results showed inconsistency across time points.With regards to the mapping this work successfully analysed the texture maps for each case and established lesion detection is possible. The study successfully highlighted hotspots in the breast patients data post texture mapping, and has demonstrated the relationship between sensitivity and false positive rate via hotspot thresholding

COMPARISON OF PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF AQUEOUS AND ALCOHOLIC FRACTIONS OF PTEROSPERMUM ACERIFOLIUM (LEAF PETIOLE)

ABSTRACTObjectives:The objective of the current work was to compare the two fractions (aqueous and alcoholic) of leaf petioles of Pterospermum acerifolium. The two fractions were compared for their phytochemistry and biological activities (antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal).Methods:phytochemistry was done using conventional natural products identification tests. Antioxidant activity was done using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Similarly, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial assays were performed using agar tube dilution and agar well diffusion assays respectively.Results:Phytochemical screening, using conventional natural products identification tests indicated the presence of different phytoconstituents. The phytoconstituents present in methanolic extract were tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, coumarins and betacyanins while aqueous extract contains tannins, glycosides, reducing sugar, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, coumarins and betacyanins. Both the extracts were analyzed for antioxidant activity. The aqueous extract showed significant activity as compared to methanolic extract.The same two fractions were compared for their antibacterial and antifungal activities.Conclusion:The methanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from P. acerifolium shows strong activity against most of the tested fungal and bacterial strains  It is concluded that methanolic extract showed significant activity against fungal strains as compared to aqueous extract whereas antibacterial activity of aqueous extract is more active than methanolic extract. Efforts should be made to isolate and derive active compounds responsible for these activities. Phytochemistry, Antioxidant activity,Antibacterial activity,Antifungal activity                                                                      Â

The Growth of E-Marketing in Business-to-Business Industry and its effect on the Performance of Businesses in Pakistan: Marketing Success

E-marketing has emerged as one of the significant drivers in sustaining the firms competitive advantage. So far, there is a lack of systematic empirical evidence regarding the marketing activities which are drastically affected by the use of e-marketing in small and large firms of Pakistan and their consequent performance outcomes. However, the objective of this study is to examine the technological, organizational and environmental factors on the performance of small and large firms in Pakistan with mediating role of E-Marketing uses and its generlizibality on countries with similar economic situation. Cross sectional data were collected from 257 manufacturing companies in Pakistan; general manager marketing were selected as the data collection sources. Additionally, SmartPLS 3.0, two step path-modeling has been used to examine the direct as well as indirect hypothesis of the current study. However, the results generated from SmartPLS (SEM) path-modeling found that, with regard to direct relationships, three variables (technology orientation, top management support, use of e-marketing) out of five including mediation variable have found significant positively associated with firm performance, however, only one (competitive pressure) has found negatively significant with firm performance. Finally, in terms of use of e-marketing as mediating variable between the relationships of technological, organizational, environmental factors and firm performance, three out of four (independent variables) indicate partial mediation including technological factors (technology orientation), organizational factors (top management support) and environmental factors (competitive pressure). However, market orientation had shown insignificant results both in the direct relationship as well as by including E-Marketing uses.

The growth of e-marketing in business-to-business industry and its effect on the performance of businesses in Pakistan: marketing success

E-marketing has emerged as one of the significant drivers in sustaining the firms competitive advantage. So far, there is a lack of systematic empirical evidence regarding the marketing activities which are drastically affected by the use of e-marketing in small and large firms of Pakistan and their consequent performance outcomes. However, the objective of this study is to examine the technological, organizational and environmental factors on the performance of small and large firms in Pakistan with mediating role of E-Marketing uses and its generlizibality on countries with similar economic situation. Cross sectional data were collected from 257 manufacturing companies in Pakistan; general manager marketing were selected as the data collection sources. Additionally, SmartPLS 3.0, two step path-modeling has been used to examine the direct as well as indirect hypothesis of the current study. However, the results generated from SmartPLS (SEM) path-modeling found that, with regard to direct relationships, three variables (technology orientation, top management support, use of e-marketing) out of five including mediation variable have found significant positively associated with firm performance, however, only one (competitive pressure) has found negatively significant with firm performance. Finally, in terms of use of e-marketing as mediating variable between the relationships of technological, organizational, environmental factors and firm performance, three out of four (independent variables) indicate partial mediation including technological factors (technology orientation), organizational factors (top management support) and environmental factors (competitive pressure). However, market orientation had shown insignificant results both in the direct relationship as well as by including E-Marketing uses

Effectiveness of various botanical traps against apple snail, Pomacea maculata (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) in a rice field

The adverse effects of molluscicides applied for the control of the invasive apple snails, Pomacea spp., have led to the search for eco-based cultural, mechanical and biological control techniques. Therefore, a field study on the relative effectiveness of locally available and cost effective plant-based traps against Pomacea spp. was conducted. Results showed jackfruit skin (9.03 ± 0.60/m2 and 6.03 ± 0.60/m2) and damaged pomelo (9.00 ± 0.61/m2 and 5.78 ± 0.74/m2) were relatively more effective than tapioca leaves, water spinach leaves and old newspaper. Snails also displayed preference for fresh materials as compared to rotten materials. Thus, incorporating these findings in rice fields during early susceptible growth will ease the collection and destruction of snails

Population fluctuation and dispersion patterns of apple snails, Pomacea spp. (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) in a rice ecosystem

A field study was conducted for two consecutive rice-growing seasons from August, 2013 to May, 2014 to understand the population dynamics of exotic apple snails, Pomacea spp. (Ampullariidae), as affected by ambient weather and aquatic weeds. A one-acre rice field was divided into four blocks and eight samples per block were taken using a 0.5x0.5m quadrat. Collected snails were recorded as numbers of egg clutches, juveniles, adult females and males. Average rainfall, relative humidity, temperature and water pH, along with number of aquatic weeds and seedlings, were also recorded. Results confirmed the presence of only Pomacea maculata. The numbers of egg clutches, juveniles and adults were relatively high during the off-season as compared to the main-season. Meanwhile, relative humidity had a significant effect on the number of egg clutches, and rainfall affected the densities of juveniles and adults. Among the weeds, Limnocharis flava (Alismataceae) had significant effect on the densities of different snail stages. Different stages showed uniform dispersion pattern during both seasons due presumably to continuous availability of water and abundant food. Thus, results obtained could be helpful in understanding the population dynamics of P. maculata and devising appropriate management strategy

Evaluation of two cotton varieties CRSP1 and CRSP2 for genetic transformation efficiency, expression of transgenes Cry1Ac+Cry2A, GT gene and insect mortality

AbstractExpression of the transgene with a desirable character in crop plant is the ultimate goal of transgenic research. Transformation of two Bt genes namely Cry1Ac and Cry2A cloned as separate cassette under 35S promoter in pKHG4 plant expression vector was done by using shoot apex cut method of Agrobacterium. Molecular confirmation of putative transgenic cotton plants for Cry1Ac, Cry2A and GT gene was done through PCR and ELISA. Transformation efficiency of CRSP-1 and CRSP-2 was calculated to be 1.2 and 0.8% for Cry1Ac while 0.9 and 0.6% for Cry2A and 1.5 and 0.7% for GTG respectively. CRSP-1 was found to adopt natural environment (acclimatized) earlier than CRSP-2 when exposed to sunlight for one month. Expression of Cry1Ac, Cry2A and GTG was found to be 1.2, 1 and 1.3ng/μl respectively for CRSP-1 as compared to CRSP-2 where expression was recorded to be 0.9, 0.5 and 0.9ng/μl respectively. FISH analysis of the transgenic CRSP-1 and CRSP-2 demonstrated the presence of one and two copy numbers respectively. Similarly, the response of CRSP-1 against Glyphosate @1900ml/acre was far better with almost negligible necrotic spot and efficient growth after spray as compared to CRSP-2 where some plants were found to have necrosis and negative control where the complete decay of plant was observed after seven days of spray assay. Similarly, almost 100% mortality of 2nd instar larvae of Heliothis armigera was recorded after three days in CRSP-1 as compared CRSP-2 where insect mortality was found to be less than 90%. Quantitatively speaking non transgenic plants were found with 23–90% leaf damage by insect, while CRSP-1 was with less than 5% and CRSP-2 with 17%. Taken together CRSP1 was found to have better insect control and weedicide resistance along with its natural ability of genetic modification and can be employed by the valuable farmers for better insect control and simultaneously for better production

THE EVOLUTION OF E-MARKETING IN BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS (B2B) ENVIRONMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON FIRM PERFORMANCE

Now a day, E-Marketing has become an essential factor in the development of business-to-business relationship for many organizations. The increasing trend of digital marketing and the role of Millennials generation in buying decision has made a great impact on enterprise sales. Most of the firms are facing the high cost of business and unable to reach to their buyers around the world, this research will be focused on the organizations to check the E-Marketing use. The main purpose of this study is to examine the use of E-Marketing as a mediating on the firm performance. Technology adoption such as E-Marketing and its utilization is increasing with the passage of time, but still this technology is new for many emerging economies who are unaware of the proper implementation of E-Marketing. However, E-commerce, E-Marketing or e-Business has always played a significant role in business-to-business communication process and give support to the firms in order to compete with their regional buyers. In the meantime, E-Marketing (EM) has appeared to be one of the essential factors in achieving the competitive advantage for any firm. Furthermore, in this study TOE (Technology-Organization-Environment) model in linkage with RBV theory has been established to make a strong base of overall conceptual framework. Moreover, this framework can be enhanced by adding other variables and to check firm performance not only by means firm performance, but also for the marketing performance of the particular industry. Further, the researcher will empirically validate this research by administering a survey questionnaire among Firms in a number of developing countries. So that, the research could conclude with several findings, gaps and contributions. Nevertheless, this paper will contribute to the existing knowledge and help the firms to work globally and to overcome both internal and external issues which are becoming barriers in their business performance

The impact of market orientation, top management support, use of e-marketing and technological opportunism on the firm performance: a mediated-moderation and moderated-mediation analysis

Understanding the effective use of technological innovation’s, for instance eMarketing, is debatably considered as the vital challenge faced by the businesses. The past studies indicated that the association among organizational factors and firm performance is mediated by the influence of the adopted innovation like e-Marketing uses. Though, the antecedents of e-Marketing to enhance firm performance have received little attention. Drawing on the Resource Based View and diffusion of innovation theory, this article has empirically examined the effect of Market Orientation (MO), top management support (TMS), Technological Opportunism (TOP) and mediating effect of use of e-Marketing (UEM) on textile performance by using SmartPLS 3.0 with a sample size of 278 textile firms in Pakistan. A moderated mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between MO and UEM is moderated by top management support and the mediated moderation analysis revealed that technological opportunism moderates the relationship between use of eMarketing and performance of textile firms. The direct hypothesis also found significant showing the positive relationships. Implications for theory and practice are discussed regarding bundling of IV and moderators in order to increase both UEM and firm performance

The mediating impact of e-marketing adoption on export performance of firms: A conceptual study

E-marketing is a crucial factor in the development of an export market for many organizations; it helps the firms to enhance their export performance in order to grab maximum international market share.Moreover, to validate the effectiveness of e-marketing, the current study will investigate the impact of technological factors on the export performance of the firms in developing countries.Though, use of e-marketing is widely spreading around the world but still several e-marketing tools have not been implemented properly that can contribute in many ways to achieve firm performance in terms of increased global market share and operational inefficiencies.E-marketing has appeared to be one of the essential factors in maintaining the competitive advantage for any company despite of its size.In this study, TOE (Technology-Organization Environment) framework has been established to see the impact of following predictors, which are: Technology Orientation; Top Management Support; Pressure from trading partners; and E-marketing adoption of the firm exports performance.The proposed framework has been developed to guide future study in exploring e-marketing technologies.Moreover, this framework can be enhanced by adding other variables and to check firm performance not only by means of exports but also at domestic level.In future, the proposed framework and research model will be empirically validated by administering a survey questionnaire among Firms in a number of developing countries.However, the current study will contribute by filling the gap in the literature and will deliver a clear deliberation for technology adoption of e-marketing to enhance firm export performance