Input Fast-Forwarding for Better Deep Learning

This paper introduces a new architectural framework, known as input fast-forwarding, that can enhance the performance of deep networks. The main idea is to incorporate a parallel path that sends representations of input values forward to deeper network layers. This scheme is substantially different from "deep supervision" in which the loss layer is re-introduced to earlier layers. The parallel path provided by fast-forwarding enhances the training process in two ways. First, it enables the individual layers to combine higher-level information (from the standard processing path) with lower-level information (from the fast-forward path). Second, this new architecture reduces the problem of vanishing gradients substantially because the fast-forwarding path provides a shorter route for gradient backpropagation. In order to evaluate the utility of the proposed technique, a Fast-Forward Network (FFNet), with 20 convolutional layers along with parallel fast-forward paths, has been created and tested. The paper presents empirical results that demonstrate improved learning capacity of FFNet due to fast-forwarding, as compared to GoogLeNet (with deep supervision) and CaffeNet, which are 4x and 18x larger in size, respectively. All of the source code and deep learning models described in this paper will be made available to the entire research communityComment: Accepted in the 14th International Conference on Image Analysis and Recognition (ICIAR) 2017, Montreal, Canad

Stabilisation of polypropylene using polymer-bound antioxidants

variety of hindered phenol and hindered piperidine antioxidants containing vinyl or vinylidine functional groups have been synthesised and some of these were successfully bound to Polypropylene backbone during processing operations in presence of a radical generator. Up to 20% concentrates were prepared using this technique. Commercially acceptable concentrates (MASTERBATCHES) can only be prepared with antioxidants that are only weakly chain breaking such as hindered piperidines. One of the antioxidants, AATP was found to polymrise as well as bind to Polypropylene. Bound antioxidants were found to be resistant to such channels of physical loss as solvent extraction. Temperature and concentration of the additive and radical generator were found to be important parameters in the preparation of the concentrates. The stabilising efficiences of the diluted bound antioxidants alone, and in combination (synergistic) with other antioxidants have been evaluated. Results of both thermal and photo-oxidative stabilities of the bound samples in Polypropylene show that the restriction on free mobility of the bound antioxidants in the polymer has virtually no effect on its stabilising efficiency. Bound AATP was found to generate nitroxyl radicals during the course of its stabilising activities, and in combination with a small amount of Irganox 1076, it was shown to be highly synergistic thermally. A mechanism of catalytic phenol regeneration by the resultant piperidine hydroxylamine was proposed. Although the mechanical properties of the masterbatches were affected by the transformation, this was not found to be carried over to the diluted samples. This work has shown that bound concentrates can be effectively prepared in saturated polymers for subsequent dilution to normal concentrates used in commercial stabilisation

Species diversity and genetic diversity of Paronychia argentea Lam. at Jerash and Wadishueib ecosystems in Jordan

Jordan's flora is plenty and highly miscellaneous. Species diversity is one of the essential indices used for determining the sustainability of herbaceous, shrubs and trees communities. This study was conducted during three years consequences from 2009-2012, and it aims to estimation and monitoring the genetic diversity among certain Paronychia argentea species at different sites in Jordan. The plant species were sampled by transect-quadrate method using square wood quadrate.  Species richness, density Shannon and Simpson indices were applied to quantify of the diversity among target studied sites. Species richness, frequency and Shannon’s diversity values among studied areas and years were recorded during the year of 2011/2102. High species richness (50 and 51) was found at Jerash for both sites compared to the wadishueib regions. High number of taxa was recorded at higher elevations compared to lower elevations particularly during the year 2012 compared to the rest years. Asteraceae, fabacaea and poaceae showed the most frequent families during this study. Studying the species richness, density, frequency and monitoring are crucial measurements for management and conservation of  plant communities either in situ or ex situ. Keywords: Jordan, monitoring, Paronychia, richness

Safety and Efficacy of nab-Paclitaxel in the Treatment of Patients with Breast Cancer

Taxanes are highly active chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of early-stage and metastatic breast cancer. Novel formulations have been developed to improve efficacy and decrease toxicity associated with these cytotoxic agents. nab-paclitaxel is a solvent free, albumin-bound 130-nanometer particle formulation of paclitaxel (Abraxane®, Abraxis Bioscience), which was developed to avoid toxicities of the Cremophor vehicle used in solvent-based paclitaxel. In a phase III clinical trial, nab-paclitaxel demonstrated higher response rates, better safety and side-effect profile compared to conventional paclitaxel, and improved survival in patients receiving it as second line therapy. Higher doses can be administered over a shorter infusion time without the need for special infusion sets or pre-medications. It is now approved in the US for treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant therapy, where prior therapy included an anthracycline. Recently, several phase II studies have suggested a role for nab-paclitaxel as a single agent and in combination with other agents for first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer

Status epilepticus in children: A five-year experience at Aga Khan University Hospital

Objective: Status epilepticus is an under diagnosed entity in Pakistan. It is a potentially reversible condition but has a high mortality, if it is not recognized and managed on time. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical profile and the relationship of mortality of status epilepticus with its known risk factors.Methods: This was a retrospective study. Medical records of all the patients admitted in the last five years (1998-2002) with a diagnosis of status epilepticus (ICDcode 345.30, 345.31) were reviewed. Data was recorded on a Performa and analyzed by using the statistical programme SPSS, chi square and Fischer exact test.Results: The total number of patients were twenty-four. Sixteen patients were males (66.7%). Mean age was fifty-eight months and mean duration of hospital stay 5.5 days (range 2 to 22days). Eight patients were diagnosed to have epilepsy. Four (16.7%) had a previous history of status epilepticus. Three patients presented with status epilepticus for the first time without any previous history of seizures. Ten patients required midazolam infusion (41.7%) and out of these 3 (12.5%) were also given thiopentone infusion to control the seizures. Nine patients were shifted to the ICU for ventilation and control of seizures. Mortality in our study was 25%. Risk factors for mortality included age less than or equal to one year, abnormal MRI, type of the status epilepticus and the total duration of status epilepticus. No significant relationship was found with any of the known risk factors.Conclusion: Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency. A very high mortality was seen in our study. No risk factors were identified for this high mortality

Familial Retinoblastoma: Raised Awareness Improves Early Diagnosis and Outcome

Purpose. To study the impact of awareness of retinoblastoma in the affected families on the management and outcome of familial retinoblastoma patients. Methods and Materials. This is a retrospective, clinical case series of 44 patients with familial retinoblastoma. Collected data included patient’s demographics, laterality, family history, age at diagnosis, presenting signs, treatment modalities, tumor stage, eye salvage rate, metastasis, and mortality. Results. Out of 200 retinoblastoma patients in our registry, 44 (22%) patients were familial, 18 were probands, and 26 were second, third, or fourth affected family members. There were 76 affected eyes: 31 eyes of probands and 45 eyes of the other affected family members. Among probands, all patients (100%) had at least one eye enucleated: 58% (18 eyes) of the affected eyes were enucleated and 32% (10 eyes) of the affected eyes were radiated. On the other hand, among the nonprobands, only 20% had one eye enucleated, and only 4 eyes (9%) received radiation. The eye salvage rate was significantly higher in the nonprobands than in the probands in this series (p=0.00206). Patients diagnosed by screening (38%) had excellent visual outcome, and both eyes were salvaged. Conclusion. Awareness of families of the possibility of retinoblastoma and adequate screening led to a significantly higher rate of eye salvage in patients with familial retinoblastoma

Karakteristik Morfologi Permukaan pada Polimer PVdF-LiBOB-ZrO2 dan Potensinya untuk Elektrolit Baterai Litium

Membran elektrolit polimer pada baterai litium ion berfungsi sebagai media transport ion dan sebagai separator antara anoda dan katoda. Dalam penelitian ini, telah dilakukan sintesis membran elektrolit polimer LiBOB (Lithium Bis Oksalato Borate dengan rumus kimia LiB(C2O4)2) dengan menggunakan Polyvilinidine fluoride (PVdF) sebagai matriks dan bahan aditif Zirkonium Oksida (ZrO2). Metoda yang dipergunakan adalah solution cast. Konsentrasi bahan aditif dibuat bervariasi. Membran yang terbentuk dikarakterisasi morfologi permukaan menggunakan Scanning Electrone Microscope (SEM), sifat elektrokimia dengan Cyclic Voltametric (CV) dan kapasitas baterai dengan kurva charge discharge. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa morfologi permukaan rantai polimer saling berikatan dan tersusun dengan bagus. Pori tertutup oleh rantai polimer secara rata yang berikatan membentuk jaring dan saling bertumpukan pada keadaan amorf. Terjadi reaksi oksidasi dan reduksi pada sel baterai dengan kapasitas charge sekitar 24 mAh pada tegangan 4 volt, sedangkan kapasitas discharge bernilai sama sekitar 24 mAh pada tegangan 4 volt dengan penambahan 10% ZrO2

Intra-colonial Population of Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman) [Isoptera: Termitidae] in Sokoto, Semi-Arid Zone of North-Western Nigeria

The intra- colonial population of individuals within the mounds of mound- building termite, Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman) occurring in some selected Local Government Areas of Sokoto State were studied. A total of 72 cone shaped mounds were selected based on their heights. Populationswere estimated by randomly collecting and counting core samples from the mounds using a small bucket as the mounds were being excavated. At the end of the excavation, the total sand removed from the mound was crushed and measured using the same bucket. Total number of termites from a mound was extrapolated from the above estimates. Results indicate the presence of five different castes; reproductives, workers, minor and major soldiers and nymphs. The population of individuals per moundapart from the reproductives, ranged between 14158.00 and 24777.67 with an average of 18,795.49 termites per mound. The nymphs were the largest (5,942.60) closely followed by the workers (5,547.70), while the minor soldiers are the least with 3,279.38. Significant difference (p<0.05) occurred between minor soldiers and nymphs, major soldiers and nymphs, minor soldiers and workers and minor soldiers and nymphs in some of the studied areas. The present study show M. bellicosus to have high population within individual mounds enough to cause damage if ignored. Being a pestiferous species that could promote erosion, appropriate control strategies are required for its control.Key words: Macrotermes bellicosus, Mounds- building termites, intra-colonial Population, Mounds, Castes