Cutting the Error by Half: Investigation of Very Deep CNN and Advanced Training Strategies for Document Image Classification

We present an exhaustive investigation of recent Deep Learning architectures, algorithms, and strategies for the task of document image classification to finally reduce the error by more than half. Existing approaches, such as the DeepDocClassifier, apply standard Convolutional Network architectures with transfer learning from the object recognition domain. The contribution of the paper is threefold: First, it investigates recently introduced very deep neural network architectures (GoogLeNet, VGG, ResNet) using transfer learning (from real images). Second, it proposes transfer learning from a huge set of document images, i.e. 400,000 documents. Third, it analyzes the impact of the amount of training data (document images) and other parameters to the classification abilities. We use two datasets, the Tobacco-3482 and the large-scale RVL-CDIP dataset. We achieve an accuracy of 91.13% for the Tobacco-3482 dataset while earlier approaches reach only 77.6%. Thus, a relative error reduction of more than 60% is achieved. For the large dataset RVL-CDIP, an accuracy of 90.97% is achieved, corresponding to a relative error reduction of 11.5%

Poverty and Social Impact Analysis of Workers Welfare Fund

This study conducts the poverty and social impact analysis of the workers welfare fund (WWF) program across Pakistan. It finds that colossal documentation, delayed free disbursement, and distance of school from home are the main hurdles in the way of education. New housing schemes are moving at a slower pace with compromised quality, and repair work is not being done on a regular basis. Sanitation and sewerage issues in labour colonies are creating health and environmental hazard. Discrimination in health care facilities and rent-seeking is very obvious. There is a detailed process review of WWF that borrows advice from such programs in other parts of the world. It is important to note that after the 18th constitutional amendment, labour market reforms are now responsibilities of provincial governments. However we explain that such a transition is painstakingly slow. Keywords: Education, Conditional cash transfers, Gender balanc

Molecular Survey of Campylobacter jejuni in Broiler Chicken Farms in East Coast of Peninsular, Malaysia

Campylobacter spp. is responsible for food borne illness in humans while Campylobacter jejuni is the most common species for majority of human enteritis cases. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of C. jejuni, risk factors associated with the occurrence, identification control and preventive measure to reduce the prevalence in broiler chicken farms in Kelantan state located at east coast region of peninsula Malaysia. Eighty cloacal swab samples were collected from 4 different broiler chicken farms in district Tumpat, Machang and Bachok. The samples were processed for identification of C. jejuni followed by PCR to detect the presence of C. jejuni. Overall, 65% in total (80 samples) of cloacal swab samples showed positive reactions, where prevalence in farms A, B, C and D was 70%, 70%, 75% and 45%, respectively. Among, 2 of 5 identified risk factors through questionnaire showed significant difference which were open house system and untreated water source. Other risk factors which includes small scale, not using probiotic and poor biosecurity were not significant enough in association to occurrence of C. jejuni. Based on the risk factors that have been identified, control measure to reduce the occurrence was; by changing the open housing system into close housing system, using treated water source, use of probiotics, implementing strict biosecurity and good hygiene practices. In conclusion, the prevalence of C. jejuni in broiler chicken farms in Kelantan was high. Therefore, the farmer should always aware with this public health threat by avoiding those potential risk factors that are associated with the colonization of Campylobacter

Evaluation of Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Genes among Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Cancer Patients

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate P. Aeruginosa isolates from cancer patients for the phenotypic pattern of antibiotic resistance and to detect the gene responsible for virulence as well as antibiotic resistance. Methods: A total of 227 P. aeruginosa isolates were studied and 11 antibiotics were applied for susceptibility testing. PCR detection of the genes BIC, TEM, IMP, SPM, AIM, KPC, NDM, GIM, VIM, OXA, toxA and oprI was done. Finally, the carbapenem resistant isolates were tested for phenotypic identification of carbapenemase enzyme by Modified Hodge test. Results: The results showed that the isolates were resistant to imipenem (95%), cefipime (93%), meropenem (90%), polymixin B (71%), gentamicin (65%), ciprofloxacin (48%), ceftazidime (40%), levofloxacin (39%), amikacin (32%), tobramycin (28%) and tazobactum (24%). The PCR detection of the carbapenem resistant genes showed 51% isolates were positive for IMP, GIM and VIM, 38% for AIM and SPM, 30% for BIC, 20% for TEM and NDM, 17% for KPC and 15% for OXA. However, toxA and oprI genes were not detected. 154 carbapenem resistant isolates were found positive phenotypically for carbapenemase enzyme identification by Modified Hodge test. Conclusion: The co-existence of multiple drug-resistant bodies and virulent genes has important implications for the treatment of patients. This study provides information about treating drug-resistant P. Aeruginosa and the relationship of virulent genes with phenotypic resistance patterns

How Can the Organizational Commitment of Pakistan Railways’ Employees Be Improved? The Moderating Role of Psychological Capital

The purpose of this research is twofold: firstly it was planned to examine the relationship and impact of peer-relationship on organizational commitment by means of and without the moderating role of psychological capital. Secondly, the researchers aimed to examine the association of organizational culture and organizational commitment, similarly, by way of and without the moderating effect of psychological capital. This study is cross-sectional by nature in which data were collected from the operational staff of Pakistan railways. While investigating the moderating impact of psychological capital on the association of peer relationship and organizational commitment, it was found that psychological capital strengthens the relationship of peer relationship and organizational commitment; and also strengthens the relationship of organizational culture and organizational commitment as well

Assessment of salinity tolerance in rice using seedling based morpho-physiological indices

Background: Salinity is among the most damaging abiotic stresses for rice production which limits its growing area. The present research was conducted to evaluate five rice varieties for salinity tolerance at seedling stage.Methods: Experiment was conducted in triplicate and in two sets. One set was grown as a control (non-stress) and other as salt stressed. Salt stress of 15 dS/m was applied to one set of rice seedlings under controlled conditions. Data for different growth related morpho-physiological traits, i.e. germination percentage, root and shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weight, Na+ and K+ uptake were recorded after 15 days of seedling emergence under control as well as salinity condition.Results: Significant differences were observed among the genotypes under both the treatments and interaction of the evaluated traits suggested a significant variability among the rice genotypes under salt stress. NIAB-IRRI-9, Basmati-198 and KSK-133 were proved to be relatively salt tolerant varieties as they showed good performance for the recorded parameters. However, Basmati-385 was observed a salt sensitive variety due to highest reduction in seedling fresh and dry weight along with the maximum Na+ uptake.Conclusion: Based on obtained results, it was concluded that the evaluated morpho-physiological traits were useful to screen rice cultivars for salinity stress. In addition, NIAB-IRRI-9, Basmati-198 and KSK-133 can be used in breeding programs as tolerant check and Basmati-385 can be used as sensitive check

Development of gliclazide matrix tablets from pure and blended mixture of glyceryl monostearate and stearic acid

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and stearic acid (SA) on the release profile of gliclazide from the matrix. Matrix tablets for the controlled delivery of gliclazide were prepared by hot melt method using pure and blended mixture of glyceryl monostearate and stearic acid in different drug to polymer and polymer to polymer ratios. In vitro release characteristics of gliclazide from these hydrophobic matrices were studied over 8 h in phosphate buffer media of pH 7.4. The release kinetics of drug was evaluated for zero order, first order, Higuchi and Peppas kinetic models. It was observed that the release of drug from the matrix was greatly retarded by GMS and retarding effect increased with increasing polymer to drug ratios. On the other hand SA appeared to channel the drug from the wax matrix and release was greatly increased with increasing polymer to drug ratios. The kinetic evaluation of release profile indicated that the Higuchi model was the most appropriate model for describing the release profile of gliclazide. The application of Peppas biexponential equation indicated that non-Fickian release was the predominant mechanism of drug release. The FTIR results showed no interaction between the drug and the polymers and DSC results indicated that both the drug and polymers are in amorphous state and no significant complexes were formed. The results indicated that proper selection of drug to polymer and polymer to polymer ratios were important in order to achieve the desired dissolution profile in these matrix tablets.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire