A descriptive cross-sectional survey among the International Islamic University Malaysia’s student on e-waste generation and public health problem in Malaysia

Objective: The main aim of the survey was to assess the respondent’s opinion on the factors influencing the generation of e-waste and its impact on public health in Malaysia. Methods: The research project involved a cross-sectional survey of International Islamic University’s students conducted in 2017 at Kuantan campus in the Pahang state, Malaysia. Along with info on demographic individualities, data were collected on several factors (agreement with questionnaire items regarding) using a 4-point Likert scale, with 4 representing “agree”, “strongly agree”, “disagree” and “strongly disagree,” respectively. Results: A total of 296 students completed the questionnaire. The age group of 18-22 covers 46.96% of all respondents and 61.82% was females. In ethnicity of respondents, 86.82% Malay and 30.07% were from rural area and rest of them were urban area. The volume of e-waste is raised due to the excess supplies of electrical appliances (71%), update their devices (65%.), additional electrical devices (59%), keeping the unused electrical appliances (71%), wholesalers selling bad quality appliances (45%), mechanic should not add and drop of their devices (71%). Regrettably 83% of the respondents doesn’t have appropriate knowledge of e-waste. 51% students agreed and 38% strongly agreed that there is no noticeable campaign on e-waste for public awareness. According to the 93% students’ opinion, individuals, the suppliers, industries and even the institutions are not aware to reduce e-waste. But a little 20% think that government does provide facilities for electrical device disposal. In public health perspective, e-waste contains a lot of hazardous chemical (strongly agreed 77% and rest 23% agreed). Fortunately, the serious health hazards led by e-waste (86% strongly agreed and 14% agreed). E-waste leads to infertile land, cancer, lung diseases and so others strongly agreed 70% and agreed 22% respectively. Conclusion: Findings suggest to organize the awareness programme in institutional, organization and educational institutional level to reduce generation of e-waste and its risk

Natural language description of images using hybrid recurrent neural network

We presented a learning model that generated natural language description of images. The model utilized the connections between natural language and visual data by produced text line based contents from a given image. Our Hybrid Recurrent Neural Network model is based on the intricacies of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Bi-directional Recurrent Neural Network (BRNN) models. We conducted experiments on three benchmark datasets, e.g., Flickr8K, Flickr30K, and MS COCO. Our hybrid model utilized LSTM model to encode text line or sentences independent of the object location and BRNN for word representation, this reduced the computational complexities without compromising the accuracy of the descriptor. The model produced better accuracy in retrieving natural language based description on the dataset

Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivar "Khalasah" via somatic embryogenesis

In present investigation, an efficient Agrobacterium- mediated genetic transformation was successfully carried out for a well known date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivar “Khalasah” using matured somatic embryos. Somatic embryogenesis was initiated from offshoot’s shoot tips of date palm cultivar. For genetic transformation, morphologically advanced matured somatic embryos developed on MS medium fortified with TDZ (1.0 mg/l) were co-cultured with A. tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 harboring binary vector pBI 121, containing uidA (GUS) and npt II genes and incubated for 4 days and later it was (somatic embryos) inoculated on germinating and plantlet conversion MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.75 mg/l) + kanamycin (100 mg/l). Prolific shoots developed from putatively transformed matured embryos showed 47.5 % transformation efficiency. A large number of transgenic plants were obtained and later established in black hard plastic bags. A strong GUS activity was detected in the putatively transformed plant leaves by histochemical assay and, the integration of uidA (GUS) and npt II genes into transgenic plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern hybridization analysis. The established transformation protocol allows effective and quick regeneration via somatic embryogenesis, and it would be highly valuable for existing date palm orchards and improving their productivity

A Cross-sectional survey on the knowledge and attitudes towards e-waste and its impact on public health among IIUM students-Kuantan campus

E-waste is a subset of solid waste and is defined as any solid waste which is generated by individual, educational institution, general institution, industry, housing area or as a household and so many other sources. This survey has led to an enhanced national or local and international awareness of the potential detrimental effects on the environment and public health. Objective: The main objective of this survey is to develop of public awareness about dangerous effect of e-waste on public health and environment. Methods: From the calculated sample size (341), a total of 296 surveys were included in the final analysis. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving with individual users based on a structured questionnaire format with answer sets. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21.0 and excel. Results: The most significant number of respondents came to know about e-waste through internet and friend 36% and 22% while government awareness program and newspapers cover only 16% and 8% of them respectively. Almost all (99.66%) respondents do not know how to dispose e-waste. 86.49 percent of the total respondents agree that as an emerging industrial country Malaysia is at high risk for generating electrical waste where 82.77% are concerned of its related health problem caused. More than 95% of the respondents thinks that individual effort would the effective to reduce e-waste volume by practicing 3R. However, 93.24% of the respondents never got a chance to attend such awareness program because they never knew that there is e-waste awareness programme being conducted by university or community. Conclusion: Based on this survey report, all the respondents think that awareness programme on e-waste should be conducted by the institution to spread negative impact of e-waste on environment and public health. Key Messages: The aim of this study is to make aware about the E-Waste and its impact on Public Health In Malaysia. People in Malaysia should more concern about e-waste due to its huge generation and not proper disposing or lack of disposal system

Fabrication of PLA-PEG Nanoparticles as Delivery Systems for Improved Stability and Controlled Release of Catechin

The purpose of this study was to develop an oral delivery system for the controlled release of catechin and evaluate the antioxidant potential and stability of catechin loaded PLA/PEG nanoparticles (CATNP). Nanoparticles were synthesized using a double emulsion solvent evaporation method. The fabricated nanoparticles were relatively small with a hydrodynamic diameter of 300 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 95%. SEM image analysis showed uniform sized and spherically shaped nanoparticles. In vitro release profiles indicated a slow and sustained release of catechin from the nanoparticle. Stability of the nanoparticle in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids is maintained due to the PEG coating on the nanoparticles, which effectively protected catechin against gastrointestinal enzyme activity. Enhanced inhibition action of free radicals and metal chelation potential was noted when catechin was encapsulated in these polymeric nanoparticles. The reports obtained from this study would provide an opportunity for designing an oral delivery system aimed at inhibiting oxidative stress in the human body

Hybrid deep neural network for Bangla automated image descriptor

Automated image to text generation is a computationally challenging computer vision task which requires sufficient comprehension of both syntactic and semantic meaning of an image to generate a meaningful description. Until recent times, it has been studied to a limited scope due to the lack of visual-descriptor dataset and functional models to capture intrinsic complexities involving features of an image. In this study, a novel dataset was constructed by generating Bangla textual descriptor from visual input, called Bangla Natural Language Image to Text (BNLIT), incorporating 100 classes with annotation. A deep neural network-based image captioning model was proposed to generate image description. The model employs Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to classify the whole dataset, while Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) capture the sequential semantic representation of text-based sentences and generate pertinent description based on the modular complexities of an image. When tested on the new dataset, the model accomplishes significant enhancement of centrality execution for image semantic recovery assignment. For the experiment of that task, we implemented a hybrid image captioning model, which achieved a remarkable result for a new self-made dataset, and that task was new for the Bangladesh perspective. In brief, the model provided benchmark precision in the characteristic Bangla syntax reconstruction and comprehensive numerical analysis of the model execution results on the dataset

Homo simpliciter or imago Dei. From the regional bio-psycho-social concentricity to eccentric-theological integrity of the human being

Polazeći od kršćansko-teološke kategorije slike Božje, koju autor naziva antropološko-ekscentričnom jer se čovjek kao osoba može razumjeti i izvan granica puke pojavnosti svojega »ja«, dakle u Bogu kao »ne-ja«, čineći upravo stabilnim i cjelovitim taj isti ljudski »ja«, želi se i kritički osvrnuti na psihologijske i sociologijske pozitivističko-redukcionističke slike čovjeka koje uporište njegova definiranja utemeljuju na pojedinim strukturno-naravnim stratumima ili društvenim funkcijama čovjeka, nazivajući naprotiv takav parcijalni pristup antropološko koncentričnim. Dok se s konceptom imago Dei želi naglasiti ono cjelovito, bazično i teologalno u čovjeku, s homo simpliciter želi se samo znanstveno-metodski zahvatiti čovjek kao takav u svojoj pukoj pojavnoj bio-psiho-socijalnoj koncentričnosti i segmentiranosti sebe. U prva dva poglavlja u najosnovnijim crtama izlaže se kršćansko-antropološko određenje kategorijâ slike Božje i osobe, a u nastavku članka autor se kritički osvrće na načine kako se »znanstveno kreira« slika o čovjeku u psihologijskom i sociologijskom smislu. U zadnjem poglavlju autor se pita kako se to čovjek može realistično i optimalno personalizirati i socijalizirati na osnovi prethodno konstatiranih »znanstvenih slikâ« o njemu, ako ga se shvaća samo kao homo simpliciter.Starting with the Christian-theological category of the imago Dei, called anthropological-eccentric by the author, because the human being as a person can understand something also outside of boundaries of mere manifestation of his/her »I«, hence in God as »non-I«, which makes the human »I« stabile and integral. The author also wants to critically reflect on psychological and sociological positivistic-reductionist images of the human being, whose basis for defining the human being is found in certain structural-natural stratums or social functions of the human being, while calling such partial approach anthropologically concentric. While the concept of imago Dei emphasises what is integral, fundamental, and theological in the human being, the concept of homo simpliciter understands the human being in a scientific-methodological way in his/her mere manifested, bio-psycho-social concentricity and segmentation of himself/herself. The first two chapters present the Christian-anthropological determination of the categories of the image of God and person in the most basic way, while in the continuation of the article the author reflects critically on ways in which the image of the human being is »scientifically created« in the psychological and sociological sense. In the last chapter the author poses the question of how the human being could be personalised realistically and optimally, and socialised on the basis of aforementioned »scientific images« of him/her, if he/she is understood only as homo simpliciter

A deep learning approach for brain tumor detection using magnetic resonance imaging

The growth of abnormal cells in the brain’s tissue causes brain tumors. Brain tumors are considered one of the most dangerous disorders in children and adults. It develops quickly, and the patient’s survival prospects are slim if not appropriately treated. Proper treatment planning and precise diagnoses are essential to improving a patient’s life expectancy. Brain tumors are mainly diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As part of a convolution neural network (CNN)-based illustration, an architecture containing five convolution layers, five max-pooling layers, a Flatten layer, and two dense layers has been proposed for detecting brain tumors from MRI images. The proposed model includes an automatic feature extractor, modified hidden layer architecture, and activation function. Several test cases were performed, and the proposed model achieved 98.6% accuracy and 97.8% precision score with a low cross-entropy rate. Compared with other approaches such as adjacent feature propagation network (AFPNet), mask region-based CNN (mask RCNN), YOLOv5, and Fourier CNN (FCNN), the proposed model has performed better in detecting brain tumors

Post-Operative Outcome of Desarda Repair of Inguinal Hernia in Emergency Case in Bangladesh

Background: Desarda hernia repair has emerged as a recognized operative method for inguinal hernia repair. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to see the outcome of emergency inguinal hernia repair by Desarda technique. Methodology: This was an observational study was carried out in the Department of Surgery at Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, Barisal, Bangladesh and Private Hospital, Narayanganj, Bangladesh from August 2015 to January 2017. Twenty patient was operated by Desarda technique. Variables includes age, operating time, post-operative complications, post-operative hospital stay, cost of the procedure, chronic groin pain and any early recurrence. Result: Mean age of patient 50.25±18.9, Mean operating time was 78.4±9.64 mins. Majority 16 patient experienced mild post-operative pain measured in VAS score. Mean with SD of hospital stay was 5.05±2.16 days. Patient had developed different post-operative complications like wound infection in 2(10.0%) cases, scrotal edema in 5(25.0%) cases, seroma formation in 1(5.0%) case and no early recurrence and. Conclusion: In this study, it revealed that Desarda repair was associated with less post-operative complications, less post-operative pain, zero recurrence rate, no chronic groin pain and performed in emergency cases. So it is safe and most reliable technique for complicated (Incarcerated, Obstructed, Strangulated) inguinal hernia. Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2020;7(1): 44-4