Pattern Discovery of Sequential Symbolic Data using Automata with an application to Author Identification

Author Identification is the process of identifying a piece of text to ascertain if it has an inherent writing style or pattern based on a certain author. Almost all literary books can be accredited to a certain author since it has been signed. However, there also exist a plethora of unfinished books or manuscripts that could be attributed to a range of possible authors. For example, William Shakespeare has written many plays that have not been signed by him. In order to assess the importance of such texts that do not bear the authors signature, it could be vital to know who was the writer. I plan to solve this dilemma using the characteristics of finite state automata coupled with the ALERGIA algorithm

What is the effect of Iodine Contrast Agents on the Subharmonic Signal Generated from Ultrasound Contrast Agents?

Subharmonic-aided pressure estimation (SHAPE) is a technique utilizing subharmonic signals from microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents (UCA’s) to noninvasively record pressures. Cardiac applications of SHAPE have been demonstrated in canines where low errors (0.19-2.5mmHg) were observed in canine ventricle pressures between the SHAPE technique and pressure catheter measurements. Validation of SHAPE involves simultaneous measurements by a pressure catheter (iodine contrast is used to guide catheter placement) and by SHAPE using UCAs. The goal of this experiment is to determine if mixing Visipaque (iodine contrast, GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) and UCAs effects the subharmonic signal. The study was performed in an in vitro closed-loop flow-phantom setup. Definity (Lantheus Medical Imaging, N Billerica, MA) and Sonazoid (GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) were the UCAs used. Experiments were conducted using Visipaque only, Visipaque followed by UCA, UCA followed by Visipaque, and UCA only. Subharmonic signals were abstracted from raw radiofrequency data and were compared to see if Visipaque administration had an effect on the subharmonic signal. Unfortunately, current results are inconclusive due to a few issues. During data collection, the ultrasound machine had technical errors and needed to be recalibrated, requiring data collection to be restarted. Additionally, after data collection was completed, the concentration of ultrasound contrast agent being used was not providing an expected enhancement to the subharmonic signal. Different concentrations are now being tested. Once the issues are resolved, linear regression analysis will be used to evaluate the matching of SHAPE and pressure catheter data and the effect of adding Visipaque and UCAs

Bacteriophage-Based Tests for the Detection of \u3cem\u3eMycobacterium tuberculosis\u3c/em\u3e in Clinical Specimens: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Sputum microscopy, the most important conventional test for tuberculosis, is specific in settings with high burden of tuberculosis and low prevalence of non tuberculous mycobacteria. However, the test lacks sensitivity. Although bacteriophage-based tests for tuberculosis have shown promising results, their overall accuracy has not been systematically evaluated. Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to evaluate the accuracy of phage-based tests for the direct detection of M. tuberculosis in clinical specimens. To identify studies, we searched Medline, EMBASE, Web of science and BIOSIS, and contacted authors, experts and test manufacturers. Thirteen studies, all based on phage amplification method, met our inclusion criteria. Overall accuracy was evaluated using forest plots, summary receiver operating (SROC) curves, and subgroup analyses. Results: The data suggest that phage-based assays have high specificity (range 0.83 to 1.00), but modest and variable sensitivity (range 0.21 to 0.88). The sensitivity ranged between 0.29 and 0.87 among smear-positive, and 0.13 to 0.78 among smear-negative specimens. The specificity ranged between 0.60 and 0.88 among smear-positive and 0.89 to 0.99 among smear-negative specimens. SROC analyses suggest that overall accuracy of phage-based assays is slightly higher than smear microscopy in direct head-to-head comparisons. Conclusion: Phage-based assays have high specificity but lower and variable sensitivity. Their performance characteristics are similar to sputum microscopy. Phage assays cannot replace conventional diagnostic tests such as microscopy and culture at this time. Further research is required to identify methods that can enhance the sensitivity of phage-based assays without compromising the high specificity

Eye(I) Still Know! – An App for the Blind Built using Web and AI

This paper proposes eye(I) still know!, a voice control solution for the visually impaired people. The main purpose is even though the blind cannot see they can still know where to go and what to do! Nearby 60% of total blind population across the world is present in India. In a time where no one likes to rely on anyone, this is a small effort to make the blind independent individuals. This can be achieved using wireless communication, voice recognition and image scanning. The application with the use of object identification will priorly inform about the barriers in the path. The software will use the camera of the device and scan all the obstacles with their corresponding distances from the user. This will be followed by audio instructions through audio output of the device. This will efficiently direct the user through his/her way

Hemiarthroplasty for intra-capsular fracture neck of femur in elderly patients: a prospective observational study

Background: Hip fractures in older patients are associated with impaired mobility, excess morbidity and mortality, and loss of independence. This study was aimed at evaluating the outcome of hemiarthroplasty, by assessing the quality of life and degree of function in the operated limb.Methods: Out of 30 patients treated in this manner, all cases were available for follow-up period of 6 months. Patients of age 60 years and above, diagnosed with fracture neck of femur, were included in the study.Results: Majority of patients belongs to age group 60-69 years was 56.7% Females were more common 56.7% than males in the present study. About 13.3% patients sustained the injury due to a fall from a height and 23.3% due to a road traffic accident. About 20 patients (60%) had a stay of less than 20 days in hospital. In our study Harris hip score, at end of six month ranged from 35 to 94.6. At final 6 months follow-up by Harris hip scoring system, 53.33% had excellent result, 33.3% had good results, 16.67% had fair results and 6.67% had poor results. Conclusions: We conclude that hemiarthroplasty for fracture neck of femur is a good option in elderly patients. The mortality and morbidity are not high, operative procedure is simple, complications are less disabling. Early functional results are satisfactory

Prevalence of Abnormal Radiological Findings in Health Care Workers with Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Correlations with T Cell Immune Response

More than half of all health care workers (HCWs) in high TB-incidence, low and middle income countries are latently infected with tuberculosis (TB). We determined radiological lesions in a cohort of HCWs with latent TB infection (LTBI) in India, and determined their association with demographic, occupational and T-cell immune response variables.We obtained chest radiographs of HCWs who had undergone tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube (QFT), an interferon-gamma release assay, in a previous cross-sectional study, and were diagnosed to have LTBI because they were positive by either TST or QFT, but had no evidence of clinical disease. Two observers independently interpreted these radiographs using a standardized data form and any discordance between them resolved by a third observer. The radiological diagnostic categories (normal, suggestive of inactive TB, and suggestive of active TB) were compared with results of TST, QFT assay, demographic, and occupational covariates.A total of 330 HCWs with positive TST or QFT underwent standard chest radiography. Of these 330, 113 radiographs (34.2%) were finally classified as normal, 206 (62.4%) had lesions suggestive of inactive TB, and 11 (3.4%) had features suggestive of active TB. The mean TST indurations and interferon-gamma levels in the HCWs in these three categories were not significantly different. None of the demographic or occupational covariates was associated with prevalence of inactive TB lesions on chest radiography.In a high TB incidence setting, nearly two-thirds of HCWs with latent TB infection had abnormal radiographic findings, and these findings had no clear correlation with T cell immune responses. Further studies are needed to verify these findings and to identify the causes and prognosis of radiologic abnormalities in health care workers

Nosocomial Tuberculosis in India

India is well positioned to address the problem of nosocomial tuberculosis transmission

Diagnostic value of tumour markers CA-125 and CEA in the diagnostics of malignant pleural fluids

Copyright: Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.The significance of carbohydrate (cancer) antigen 125 (Ca-125) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tumour markers levels in differential diagnostics of malignant and benign pleural effusion was studied. Within this prospective study, 121 patients with fluids of various aetiology in the pleural cavity were analysed. Malignant pleural effusion was detected in 55 patients, parapneumonic effusion in 28 patients, transudative effusion of cardiac origin in 31 patients, pancreatitis in one patient and tuberculous pleurisy in five patients. The highest accuracy in diagnosis of malignancy was observed for Ca-125 and CEA levels in the pleural fluid: 75.2% at cut-off value ≥1452 U/mL and 76.9% at cut-off value ≥6.58 ng/mL, respectively. We conclude that the level of tumour markers in pleural fluid has additional diagnostic significance in the differential diagnosis of malignant and benign pleural effusions.publishersversionPeer reviewe