Audiovisual Saliency Prediction in Uncategorized Video Sequences based on Audio-Video Correlation

Substantial research has been done in saliency modeling to develop intelligent machines that can perceive and interpret their surroundings. But existing models treat videos as merely image sequences excluding any audio information, unable to cope with inherently varying content. Based on the hypothesis that an audiovisual saliency model will be an improvement over traditional saliency models for natural uncategorized videos, this work aims to provide a generic audio/video saliency model augmenting a visual saliency map with an audio saliency map computed by synchronizing low-level audio and visual features. The proposed model was evaluated using different criteria against eye fixations data for a publicly available DIEM video dataset. The results show that the model outperformed two state-of-the-art visual saliency models.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, 4 table

Subtractive genomics approach for in silico identification and characterization of novel drug targets in Neisseria meningitides serogroup B

Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening illness with annual incidence rates varying from 1 to 1000 per 100 000 persons in different parts of the world. Effective polysaccharide and polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines that offer protection against infection with meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y and W-135 have been licensed and are available worldwide. Serogroup B remains the most prevalent cause of meningococcal disease responsible for 32% of all meningococcal disease in the United States, 45 to 80% of the cases in Europe, and for the majority of cases in the rest of the world. The development of a vaccine against serogroup B poses the biggest problem due to the similarity between the B capsular polysaccharide structure and a polysialic acid containing glycopeptides that are a part of human brain tissue. Prevention of meningococcal disease will require the development of an effective vaccine to combat serogroup B, which is the cause of most meningococcal cases in developed countries. The availability of the complete sequence information of Neisseria meningitides serogroup B proteome has made it possible to carry out the in silico analysis of its genome for identification of potential vaccine and drug targets. Our study revealed 1413 proteins which are non-homologous to human genome. Screening these proteins using the Database of Essential Genes (DEG) resulted in the identification of 362 proteins as essential proteins of the bacterium. Analysis of the identified essential proteins, using the KEGG Automated Annotation Server (KAAS) housed at Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways database, revealed 35 enzymes of N. Meningitides that may be used as potential drug targets, as they belongs to pathways present only in the bacterium and not present in humans. Subcelluler localization prediction of these essential proteins revealed that 9 proteins lie on the outer membrane of the pathogen which could be potential vaccine targets. Screening of the functional inhibitors against these novel targets may result in discovery of novel therapeutic compounds that can be effective against Neisseria meningitides Serogroup B

Comparison of clinical and CSF profiles in children with tuberculous and pyogenic meningitis; role of CSF protein: Glucose ratio as diagnostic marker of tuberculous meningitis

Objectives: To compare the clinical and laboratory features of tuberculous meningitis with bacterial meningitis and to determine if protein glucose ratio in the cerebrospinal fluid can be predictive of the condition.Methods: It was a retrospective descriptive study at the Paediatric Ward of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, for which records of 46 patients with tuberculous meningitis and 33 with bacterial meningitis were reviewed. All records related to the study period that was from January 2005 to October 2010. The records were retrieved in December 2010. Tuberculous meningitis was defined as illness \u3e or = 14 days, basal enhancement or tuberculoma on computerised tomography scan and response to anti-tuberculous therapy. Pyogenic meningitis was defined by the presence of a pathogenic isolate inthe cerebrospinal fluid (bacterial culture) or by positive latex particle agglutination or a pathogen on cerebrospinal fluid gram stain and clinical improvement with antibiotics. Logistic regression was used to model the probability of having tuberculous meningitis. To define the optimal protein-glucose ratio, cutoff point for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis, a receiver operating characteristic curve was applied. All analysis were done using SPSS 16.Results: Features predictive of a diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis were protein:glucose ratio of \u3e or = 2 (OR 21 95% CI 4.7-93); cerebrospinal fluid total leukocyte count \u3c 800 (OR 58, 95% CI 5-649); and the presence of hydrocephalus (OR 19, 95% CI 3.3-109).Conclusion: A set of simple clinical, laboratory and radiological criteria can help in predicting tuberculous meningitis. The value of cerebrospinal fluid protein:glucose ratio needs to be validated in larger studies with bacteriologically-confirmed cases of tuberculous meningitis

Needs assessment for curricular reform of a post graduate paediatric training programme at a private university hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

In order to make and sustain changes in the curriculum, needs assessment is the key. We conducted a need assessment survey using a questionnaire based on a 7 point Likert Scale by residents and alumni. Over all response rate in the study was 77.5%. Fifty eight percent participants were females. Highest level of agreement (mean score 5.7) was found between the alumni and residents regarding the need to revise the content, teaching and assessment strategies in the programme. Twenty seven alumni (n= 38, 71%) had cleared their FCPS exams. The alumni thought that the existing teaching and assessment strategies do not facilitate in passing professional certificate exams (mean score 3.6). The mean attempts required by the alumni for clearing this exam was 3.3, and 84.2% considered their weak clinical skills as the reason for their recurrent failure

Comparison of intra-articular lidocaine versus intravenous sedative and analgesic for reduction of anterior shoulder dislocation in terms of mean pain reduction using vas score

INTRODUCTION: The most common dislocation presenting to emergency department is anterior shoulder dislocation. Posterior dislocations and inferior dislocations are rare. Dislocations of the anterior shoulder mostly occur with the position of the arm is abducted and externally rotated. This results in injury of the humeral head, labrum, capsuloligamentous structures and glenoid. Such patients experience severe pain, therefore prompt reduction is necessary to ameliorate the pain. Intravenous analgesia combined with sedation or intra-articular lidocaine injection can be used for closed reduction of anterior shoulder dislocation. Due to its side effects, Intra-articular lidocaine (IAL) is recommended for use as a probable alternative to intravenous sedation-analgesia especially for patients with contraindication to intravenous sedation-analgesia. OBJECTIVE: To compare intra-articular lidocaine versus intravenous sedative and analgesic for management of anterior shoulder dislocation in terms of mean pain using VAS during reduction of shoulder joint. STUDT DESIGN:   Randomized controlled trial (RCT). SETTING: Removed for blind review DURATION: 6 months (November 22nd, 2017 to May 21st, 2018) SAMPLE SIZE: 60 patients (30 in each group) RESULTS: We included sixty patients in my study. 19 (31.7%) were females and 41 (68.3%) were male patients. Out of all the patients 38 (63.3%) had right sided shoulder dislocation, while the rest 22 (36.7%) patients had left sided shoulder dislocation. Patients mean age was 33.27±10.535 years and mean pain score of all the patients was 4.966±1.930. The mean pain score in Group A was 4.200±1.648, while the mean pain score in Group B was 5.733±1.910 (p value = 0.002. Stratification was done according to gender and age group of the patients, and post-stratification t-test was applied. CONCLUSION:   Intra-articular lidocaine is better option in pain control during reduction of anterior shoulder dislocation. KEY WORDS: Intra venous analgesia, Intra-articular lidocaine, shoulder dislocation

Nanoparticles in the environment: assessment using the causal diagram approach

Nanoparticles (NPs) cause concern for health and safety as their impact on the environment and humans is not known. Relatively few studies have investigated the toxicological and environmental effects of exposure to naturally occurring NPs (NNPs) and man-made or engineered NPs (ENPs) that are known to have a wide variety of effects once taken up into an organism

Prevalence of hypertension in healthy school children in Pakistan and its relationship with body mass index, proteinuria and hematuria

To determine the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) in healthy school Pakistani children and its association with high body mass index (BMI), asymptomatic hematuria and proteinuria, we studied 661 public school children and measured their body weight, height and BP and urine dipstick for hematuria performed on a single occasion. Hypertension (BP \u3e95 th centile) and pre-hypertension (BP \u3e90 th centile) were defined based on the US normative BP tables. Over-weight and obesity were defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of BMI. The mean age of the children was 14 ± 1.3 years. The mean BMI was 18.5 ± 4.3 kg/m 2 . The majority (81.8%) of the children were found to be normotensive (BP centile). Pre-hypertension was observed in 15% and hypertension in 3% of the children. Overweight was observed in 7.7% and obesity in 1% of the children. The independent risk factors for hypertension and pre-hypertension were age of the child (RR 1.2 95% CI 1-1.4), gender (RR 2.0 for being female 95% CI 1-4.4), BMI \u3e25 (RR for BMI b/w 25-30 = 2.6, RR for BMI \u3e30 = 4.3), positive urine dipstick for proteinuria (RR = 2.3 95% CI 0.7-7.7) and positive urine dipstick for hematuria (RR 1.0 95% CI 0.2-8.3). Hypertension in children is strongly correlated with obesity, asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria. Community based screening programs for children should include BP recording, BMI assessment and urine dipsticks analysis and approach high-risk groups for early detection and lifestyle modifications

Comparison Of Prophylactic Injection Of Corticosteroid With Placebo, In Management Of Wrist Pain On Ulnar Aspect In Patients Of Fractures Of Distal Radius

INTRODUCTION: Distal radius fractures are one of the commonest fractures experienced by the Orthopaedic surgeons. Pain on the ulnar aspect of the wrist is the most usual complication of such fractures.  Corticosteroid injection is a simple and effective method for elevating pain of such nature.  OBJECTIVE: To compare the mean pain score with prophylactic corticosteroid injection versus placebo in management of wrist pain on ulnar aspect in patients presenting with fracture of distal radius. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study Design: Randomized controlled trial Setting: Orthopedic Surgery Department, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi Duration: Six months (March 5, 2018 to Sept 5, 2018) Data Collection Procedure: 80 patients were included by using non-probability consecutive sampling after fulfilling the selection criteria. Demographic profile (patient name, age, gender, anatomical side and contact details) was obtained. Patients were splitted in two random groups by simple lottery method. Patients of group A were given one shot of 80mg corticosteroid in the area of ulnar styloid process near TFCC and group B patients were given a shot of distilled water (2 cc). Both group of patients were followed in OPD for 3 months in their postoperative visits. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: The mean age of the patients was 41.05 ± 11.05 years and age range of 40 years. The mean age in the corticosteroid and placebo groups was 39.68±10.67 years and 42.42 ± 11.39 years respectively. There were 42 (52.50%) male and 38 (47.50%) female patients with a higher male ratio i.e., 1.10:1. In corticosteroid and placebo groups there were 21 (52.50%) male and 19 (47.50%) female cases. The mean pain at baseline was 7.72 ± 1.66 while in the corticosteroid and placebo group, the mean pain was 7.60 ± 1.67 and 7.85 ± 1.65 respectively with statistically equal mean pain p-value = 0.504. After 3 months of treatment, mean pain in the corticosteroid group was 1.30 ± 0.66 and was 2.60 ± 1.58 in the placebo group, p-value < 0.001. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that prophylactic corticosteroid injection is more effective in reducing pain in patients with distal radial fracture than placebo. By using prophylactic corticosteroid injections in the future, we can reduce pain to achieve more satisfaction of patients.

Pemahaman dan Keberkesanan Strategi Penjenamaan Dalaman Misi, Visi dan Nilai Korporat UDA Holdings Berhad

Penjenamaan dalaman dilihat sebagai satu fenomena baharu dalam sesebuah organisasi atau entiti bagi tujuan pemerkasaan dan pemartabatan jenama kepada pihak-pihak yang berkepentingan. Tujuan penyelidikan ini dilaksanakan secara total adalah untuk melihat pemahaman, persepsi staf terhadap keberkesanan strategi penjenamaan dalaman dan saling kaitan antara kedua-duanya di UDA Holdings Berhad. Justeru sebanyak tiga (3) persoalan penyelidikan telah diaplikasikan dalam penyelidikan ini iaitu: Apakah kefahaman staf mengenai misi, visi dan nilai korporat UDA Holdings Berhad? Bagaimanakah persepsi staf mengenai keberkesanan penjenamaan dalaman di UDA Holdings Berhad? Apakah saling kaitan antara tahap kefahaman misi, visi dan nilai korporat dengan persepsi terhadap keberkesanan penjenamaan dalaman di UDA Holdings Berhad? Sorotan penyelidikan telah disusun mengikut kepada persoalan penyelidikan ini dengan disesuaikan kepada model strategi komunikasi korporat oleh Paul A. Argenti dan model RACE serta diterjemahkan menerusi rangka kerja penyelidikan. Berikutnya pendekatan kuantitatif menerusi borang kaji selidik telah digunakan untuk pengumpulan data daripada responden di UDA Holdings Berhad. Hasil penyelidikan menunjukkan identiti korporat UDA Holdings Berhad tidak dipromosikan dengan berkesan melalui tindakan yang dirancang dan konsisten