New Trends in Artificial Intelligence: Applications of Particle Swarm Optimization in Biomedical Problems

Optimization is a process to discover the most effective element or solution from a set of all possible resources or solutions. Currently, there are various biological problems such as extending from biomolecule structure prediction to drug discovery that can be elevated by opting standard protocol for optimization. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) process, purposed by Dr. Eberhart and Dr. Kennedy in 1995, is solely based on population stochastic optimization technique. This method was designed by the researchers after inspired by social behavior of flocking bird or schooling fishes. This method shares numerous resemblances with the evolutionary computation procedures such as genetic algorithms (GA). Since, PSO algorithms is easy process to subject with minor adjustment of a few restrictions, it has gained more attention or advantages over other population based algorithms. Hence, PSO algorithms is widely used in various research fields like ranging from artificial neural network training to other areas where GA can be used in the system

Role of semen analysis in the diagnosis of infertility at a tertiary care centre in Western India: a prospective study

Background: The prevalence of infertility in the general population is 15%-20%. Of this, the male factor is responsible for 20%-40%. In Indian couples seeking treatment, the male factor is the cause in approximately 23%. Semen analysis is an indispensable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of the male partners of infertile couples. Careful evaluation of the ejaculate parameters may suggest the possible causes of infertility and their identification could help to institute appropriate therapy, if available.Methods: Semen samples were analyzed by manual method. An analysis for volume, viscosity, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology, according to WHO guidelines on semen analysis was done.Results: This study, done at a tertiary care center at Western India, at M.G.M hospital has demonstrated that abnormal semen quality is a major factor contributing to infertility in couples.28% males had volume <2 ml, 70% had sperm count <20 million/ml and 72% had sperms with abnormal morphology.Conclusions: Semen analysis remains a significant contribution in the overall diagnosis of infertility in our environment and semen analysis is an indispensable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of the male partners of infertile couples. Males contribute towards infertility in couples significantly and further study and assessment is required to accurately predict the importance of this

A study of disability in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Background: Musculoskeletal impairment is the most common cause of chronic pain and subsequent disability world over. Yet their very few Indian studies on this subject. The aim of study was to assess the extent of disability in out-patients suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain, to determine whether the disability varied with the age and sex of the patient, to assess any correlation between the intensity of pain and the extent of disability, and to evaluate whether the extent of disability depended upon the site, periodicity and duration of pain.Methods: The 200 patients of chronic musculoskeletal pain were assessed for disability using the pain disability questionnaire (PDQ) and pain intensity using the numeric pain rating scale. The patients with mild, moderate and severe disability were compared using non parametric tests to assess the differences related to age, sex, pain intensity, site, duration and periodicity of pain.Results: The 56% patients had mild, 41% had moderate while 3% patients reported severe disability. Disability was higher in patients in the younger age group, higher intensity of pain, heel pain and variable pain. In the regression analysis, pain intensity emerged as the sole predictor of disability.Conclusions: We conclude that 56% patients had mild, 41% had moderate while 3% patients reported severe disability. Disability was higher in patients at the extremes of age, higher intensity of pain, and variable pain. Gender and pain duration did not have any significant association with disability

Enhancement of thermoelectric figure of merit in Bi2Se3 crystals through a necking process

The growth of good quality bulk single crystals of bismuth selenide by employing a high-temperature vertical Bridgman technique with a specially designed ampoule having a provision for a necking process is reported. Several growth experiments were performed and reproducible results were obtained. The crystal structure and lattice dimensions were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), the bulk crystalline perfection was assessed using high-resolution X-ray diffractometry and the good bulk crystalline perfection with an indication of layered structure was confirmed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was carried out for the grown single crystal and confirmed the layered structure. High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) was also used to further assess the crystalline perfection. The direct measurement of d spacing obtained from HRTEM imaging was found to be in good agreement with the data obtained from PXRD. The thermal behavior was examined by differential scanning calorimetry and a sharp melting was found at 983K, which revealed the purity of the bismuth selenide. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical and thermal conductivities were measured, and a thermoelectric figure of merit was calculated in order to assess the suitability of the crystal for thermoelectric applications such as refrigeration and portable power generation. Nanoindentation analysis was also performed for the first time

Successful Treatment of Novel H1N1 Influenza related Fulminant Myocarditis with Extracorporeal Life Support

The prevalence of myocardial involvement in influenza infection ranges from 0% to 12%. The 2009 pH1N1 influenza virus, formerly known as swine flu, first appeared in Mexico and the United States of America in March and April 2009 and has swept the globe with unprecedented speed. We report a case of fulminant myocarditis associated with this virus treated successfully using extra-corporal membrane oxygenator