Deep Learning Application On American Sign Language Database For Video-Based Gesture Recognition

ASL speaking individuals always bring a companion as a translator [1]. This creates barriers for those who wish to take part in activities alone. Online translators exist however, they are limited to the individual characters instead of the gestures which group characters in a meaningful way, and connectivity is not always accessible. Thus, this research tackles the limitations of existing technologies and presents a model, implemented in MATLAB 2020b, to be used for predicting and classifying American sign language gestures/characters. The proposed method looks further into current neural networks and how they can be utilized against our transformed World Largest { American Sign Language data set. Resourcing state of the art detection and segmentation algorithms, this paper analyzes the efficiency of pre-trained net-works against these various algorithms. Testing current machine learning strategies like Transfer Learning and their impact on training a model for recognition. Our research goals are 1. Manufacturing and augmenting our data set. 2. Apply transfer learning on our data sets to create various models. 3. Compare the various accuracies of each model. And finally, present a novel pattern for gesture recognition

高齢者における口唇閉鎖訓練，もしくは音波ブラシによる唾液流量への影響

Aim and Background: Oral dryness causes various problems such as difficulty in swallowing and speaking. It also causes oral bacterial imbalance and increases risk of caries. Therefore, it is important to examine the effect of stimulation of the saliva flow by devices in an aged population with complaint of oral dryness sensation. The aim of this study was to improve and maintain the saliva flow and the oral wetness in Japanese elderly patients by facial mimetic muscle training using the lip trainer device or by using the sonic electric tooth brushing. Methods: Twenty-six patients were referred to the Department of Periodontology, Matsumoto Dental University Hospital, with complaints of oral dryness were enrolled in this study. All the patients had 20 or more teeth and were aged 60 years and above. They were randomly divided into two groups of 13 subjects each. In group P, subjects used the Patakara® lip trainer for 3 minutes, 3 times per day for 6 months. In group S, subjects used the Sonicare® sonic toothbrush for 2 minutes, 3 times per day for 6 months. Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates, oral wettability and lip closing force were measured at baseline, and after 1 and 6 months. Clinical periodontal parameters: probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were checked at baseline and 6 months. Results: Both of the groups showed increased timulated and unstimulated salivary flow rates, with group P showing better results than group S at 1 and 6 months. Group P also recorded better results for wettability than group S. Lip closing force was improved by facial muscle mimetic training at 1 and 6 months in group P. Conclusion: It is indicated that the salivary flow in the elderly Japanese2015博士（歯学）松本歯科大

Comparative Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Two Polyherbal Tablet Formulations (Aujaie and Surangeen) in Rats

Purpose: To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of two herbal polymedicines - Aujaie and Surangeen to ascertain their therapeutic claims.Methods: A total of 96 rats were divided into two equal groups; one for determination of antiinflammatory activity and the other for analgesic activity. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities were evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin-induced paw licking test, respectively. For both studies, group I (untreated control) received 1 ml/kg, (po) of gum suspension 1 h before carrageenan injection. Aspirin (100 mg/kg, po) was given to group II (treated control) before injection. Groups III, IV and V were administered orally aujaie (3, 4 and 5 mg/kg, po, respectively), while surangeen tablets (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, po) were given to groups VI, VII and VIII, respectively. Pain was experimentally induced by injecting 0.1 ml of 2.5 % formalin (40 % formaldehyde in distilled water) via the subplantar region of the left hind paw.Results: Significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity for aspirin (group II as well as for groups III - VIII with paw edema inhibition (PDI) ranging from 24.6 - 90.2 %, There was significant ((p < 0.05) analgesic activity in group II, VI and VII while in groups III - V and VIII the activity was insignificant (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Aujaie and surangeen tablets exhibited pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in rats depending on the dose employed.Keywords: Aujaie, Surangeen, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic

The effect on salivary flow of lip trainers and sonic toothbrushes in older Japanese patients

松本歯科大学大学院歯学独立研究科博士（歯学）学位申請論

Formulation and characterization of modified release tablets containing ionizid using swellable polymers

The aim of this work was to develop swellable modified release (MR) isoniazid tablets using different combinations of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and sodium-carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC). Granules were prepared by moist granulation technique and then compressed into tablets. In vitro release studies for 12 hr were carried out in dissolution media of varying pH i.e. pH 1.2, 4.5, 7.0 and 7.5. Tablets of all formulations were found to be of good physical quality with respect to appearance (width and thickness), content uniformity, hardness, weight variation and friability. In vitro release data showed that increasing total polymer content resulted in more retarding effect. Formulation with 35% polymer content exhibited zero order release profile and it released 35% of the drug in first hr, later on, controlled drug release was observed upto the 12th hour. Formulations with PVAc to Na-CMC ratio 20:80 exhibited zero order release pattern at levels of studied concentrations, which suggested that this combination can be used to formulate zero order release tablets of water soluble drugs like isoniazid. Korsmeyer-Peppas modeling of drug release showed that non-Fickian transport is the primary mechanism of isoniazid release from PVAc and Na-CMC based tablets. The value of mean dissolution time decreased with the increase in the release rate of drug clearly showing the retarding behavior of the swellable polymers. The application of a mixture of PVAc to Na-CMC in a specific ratio may be feasible to formulate zero order release tablets of water soluble drugs like isoniazid.Keywords: Isoniazid, Polyvinyl acetate, Sodium-carboxymethylcellulose, Modified release tablets

Effect of different artificial diets on biological parameters of female Chrysoperla carnea under laboratory conditions

Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is considered as a cosmopolitan polyphagous generalist predator. Chrysoperla carnea can be used in biological control programs. The biological parameters of Chrysoperla carnea were studied to check the effect different diets under laboratory conditions. The results indicate that preoviposition, oviposition and post oviposition periods were 8.2±1.25, 30.6±1.72 and 9.4±1.02 days, respectively. The highest mortalities were occurred reared at Water+ Sugar+ Yeast+ Evion diets while no mortality was observed at H2O + Sugar +Yeast + Honey.  The female longevity was 51.2 ± 2.18 days. The fecundity of female was 301.31 eggs per female with 10.36 eggs per day per single female on artificial diet, H2O + Sugar +Yeast + Honey. The study revealed that H2O + Sugar +Yeast + Honey was showed highest survival and fecundity while Water+ Sugar+ Yeast+ Evion least one

Frequency of Surgical Impactions of Mandibular Third Molar in Orthodontic Patients with Different Antegonial Notching

Background: Few studies have been reported so far on the frequency of lower third molar impactions in patients with different morphological characteristics. Our aim in this study was to find out the frequency of impacted lower third molars in orthodontic patients with different antegonial notch depths. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted at Orthodontics Department of Dental Section, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, and de’Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan from June 2017 to June 2019. A total of 60 orthopantomograms (OPGs) of patients with impacted lower third molars were included. The depth of antegonial notch was calculated on all the selected OPGs by measuring distance between the deepest area of the notch cavity and the tangent on the inferior border of the mandible. The patients with depth of antegonial notch of 1 mm or less were labeled as having shallow antegonial notch, while those with 3 mm or more were considered as having deep antegonial notch. Percentages and mean + SD were calculated for different variables. Depth of antegonial notching was compared between genders using ANOVA with P-value <0.5 considered as significant. Results: Of 60 orthodontic patients, there was an equal number of male and female patients (n=30). The average age of the patients was 25.5±4 years. Overall frequency of impactions was similar in both the genders and frequency of impacted lower third molars was found to be greater in patients with deeper antegonial notches. Conclusion: Mandibular third molar impactions were most frequent in orthodontic patients with deep antegonial notche

Protective role of ITPA rs1127354-CA polymorphism against anemia in HCV patients using sofosbuvir ribavirin therapy: age and gender match case-control study

Background: Hepatitis C virus is affecting around 80 million people. Sofosbuvir ribavirin-based therapy is associated with certain side effects, especially anemia. Inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) genetic polymorphisms cause functional impairment in ITPase enzyme, leading protection against anemia and improving sustained viral response. This study aims to explore the impact of ITPA variants on hemoglobin decline, ribavirin dose reduction, and sustained viral response (SVR) achievement.Methods: This is prospective gender and age matched case-control study of HCV genotype-3a infected individuals taking sofosbuvir-ribavirin treatment. Patient CBC, viral RNA, liver function test, and ribavirin dose reduction were recorded monthly. ITPApolymorphisms-rs1127354 were determined and confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sanger sequencing. Effects of polymorphism on hemoglobin level, ribavirin dose and treatment outcome were analyzed.Results: ITPA rs1127354-CC genotype patients experience significant reduction in level of Hb leading to ribavirin dose reduction. Low mean Hb levels were observed in these individuals at first and last month of treatment. No statistical difference was observed in adverse effects on basis of ITPA genotype except fever. Age, BMI, and ITPA genotype rs1127354-CC were independently associated (p< 0.05) with a decrease in Hb level ≥ 2g/dl below the baseline and ribavirin dose reduction. All patients with rs1127354 CA-genotype achieve SVR.Conclusion: Pretreatment determination of ITPA polymorphism can further optimize HCV treatment with new direct-acting antivirals. ITPA rs1127354-CA has a protective role against ribavirin-associated anemia development and individualized management of ribavirin dose and along with the achievement of better SVR rates

Effect of mobile phone text message reminders on routine immunization uptake in Pakistan: randomized controlled trial

Background: Improved routine immunization (RI) coverage is recommended as the priority public health strategy to decrease vaccine-preventable diseases and eradicate polio in Pakistan and worldwide.Objective: The objective of this study was to ascertain whether customized, automated, one-way text messaging (short message service, SMS) reminders delivered to caregivers via mobile phones when a child is due for an RI visit can improve vaccination uptake and timelines in Pakistan.Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial, conducted in an urban squatter settlement area of Karachi, Pakistan. Infants less than 2 weeks of age with at least one family member who had a valid mobile phone connection and was comfortable receiving and reading SMS text messages were included. Participants were randomized to the intervention (standard care + one-way SMS reminder) or control (standard care) groups. The primary outcome was to compare the proportion of children immunized up to date at 18 weeks of age. Vaccine given at 6, 10, and 14 weeks schedule includes DPT-Hep-B-Hib vaccine (ie, diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus; hepatitis B; and Haemophilus influenza type b) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). Data were analyzed using chi-square tests of independence and tested for both per protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses.Results: Out of those approached, 84.3% (300/356) of the participants were eligible for enrollment and 94.1% (318/338) of the participants had a working mobile phone. Only children in the PP analyses, who received an SMS reminder for vaccine uptake at 6 weeks visit, showed a statistically significant difference (96.0%, 86/90 vs 86.4%, 102/118; P=.03).The immunization coverage was consistently higher in the intervention group according to ITT analyses at the 6 weeks scheduled visit (76.0% vs 71.3%, P=.36). The 10 weeks scheduled visit (58.7% vs 52.7%, P=.30) and the 14 weeks scheduled visit (31.3% vs 26.0%, P=.31), however, were not statistically significant.Conclusions: Automated simple one-way SMS reminders in local languages might be feasible for improving routine vaccination coverage. Whether one-way SMS reminders alone can have a strong impact on parental attitudes and behavior for improvement of RI coverage and timeliness needs to be further evaluated by better-powered studies and by comparing different types and content of text messages in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs)