Similarity measure between Pythagorean fuzzy sets based on lower, upper and middle fuzzy sets with applications to pattern recognition and multicriteria decision making with PF-TODIM

The choice of similarity measure (SM) plays an important role in distinguishing between objects. Similarity measure of Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs) is very useful and effective in discriminating between different Pythagorean fuzzy sets. Therefore, in this paper, we suggest a new similarity measure for PFSs based on converting the PFSs into their lower, upper and middle fuzzy sets (FSs) to calculate their degree of similarity. We construct an axiomatic definition for a new SM of PFSs. Furthermore, we put forward a new way to express the similarity measure of PFSs to show its competency, reliability and applicability. For establishing reasonability and usefulness of the proposed methods, we present several practical examples related to pattern recognition and multicriteria decision making problems. Finally, we construct an algorithm for Portuguese of interactive and multiple attributes decision making (TODIM) method based on the proposed similarity measures, for handling complex multicriteria decision making problems related to day to day life. Our final results show that the suggested method is reasonable, reliable and useful in managing different complex decision making problems in the context of Pythagorean fuzzy sets as the domain

Increasing Spectrum in Antimicrobial Resistance of Shigella Isolates in Bangladesh: Resistance to Azithromycin and Ceftriaxone and Decreased Susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin

Antimicrobial resistance of Shigella isolates in Bangladesh, during 2001-2002, was studied and compared with that of 1991-1992 to identify the changes in resistance patterns and trends. A significant increase in resistance to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (from 52% to 72%, p<0.01) and nalidixic acid (from 19% to 51%, p<0.01) was detected. High, but unchanged, resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol, low resistance to mecillinam (resistance 3%, intermediate 3%), and to emergence of resistance to azithromycin (resistance 16%, intermediate 62%) and ceftriaxone/cefixime (2%) were detected in 2001-2002. Of 266 recent isolates, 63% were resistant to ≥3 anti-Shigella drugs (multidrug-resistant [MDR]) compared to 52% of 369 strains (p<0.007) in 1991-1992. Of 154 isolates tested by E-test in 2001-2002, 71% were nalidixic acid-resistant (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] ≥32 μg/mL) and had 10-fold higher MIC90 (0.25 μg/mL) to ciprofloxacin than that of nalidixic acid-susceptible strains exhibiting decreased ciprofloxacin susceptibility, which were detected as ciprofloxacin-susceptible and nalidixic acid-resistant by the disc-diffusion method. These strains were frequently associated with MDR traits. High modal MICs were observed to azithromycin (MIC 6 μg/mL) and nalidixic acid (MIC 128 μg/mL) and low to ceftriaxone (MIC 0.023 μg/mL). Conjugative R-plasmids-encoded extended-spectrum ß-lactamase was responsible for resistance to ceftriaxone/cefixime. The growing antimicrobial resistance of Shigella is worrying and mandates monitoring of resistance. Pivmecillinam or ciprofloxacin might be considered for treating shigellosis with caution

Assessment of Meteorological Drought Hazard Area using GIS in Ghareh Aghaj basin, Iran

In this paper area under hazard of Meteorological Drought was evaluated using GIS technique. In Ghareh Aghaj watershed, meteorological drought has the most profound effect on the way of living and regional economy. Hence knowledge of the meteorological drought hazard area of their occurrence and their course is an essential aspect for planning. The purpose of this study was to make a model of the meteorological drought hazard area using GIS. A set of meteorological drought indices were studied and reviewed to define areas under hazard. Meteorological drought indicators used in the present model include: Annual rainfall, climate change, Coefficient variation (CV) of annual rainfall, climate, ratio of the number of arid years with SPI &lt;-1 to the number of total years in each station, ratio of the number of vernal arid seasons with SPI&lt;-1 to the number of total years in each station, and the number of sequential arid years using definition of WMO. The data analyzed have been gathered from the records, reports and maps published by the governmental offices of Iran. Most of these indicators were performed using average annual rainfall data and average annual temperature of minimum 16 years record of 20 stations. Each of the hazard indicator maps and also final hazard map are classified into 4 hazard classes of drought: mild, moderate, severe and very severe. The final hazard classes were defined on the basis of hazard scores arrived at by assigning the appropriate attributes to the indicators and the final hazard map was prepared by overlaying different hazard indicator maps in the GIS, deploying the new model. The final Hazard Map shows that moderate hazard areas (67% of the basin) are much widespread than areas under severe hazard (37% of the basin) which are observed in the Southeast of the region

Suitability of various plant derived gelling agents as agar substitute in microbiological growth media

Eleven putative gelling agents were investigated as agar substitutes. These included arrowroot (Maranta arundinaceae), coconut powder (Cocos nucifera), corn flour (Zea mays var. amylacea), gel rite (a water-soluble polysaccharide produced by Sphingomonas elodea), glue (Cyanoacrylates), katira gum (Cochlospermum religiosum), guar gum (Cyamopsis tetragonolobus L.), isubgol husk (Plantago ovata), pectin and rice (Oryza sativa L.) powder. Among these, guar gum was found a promising alternate candidate for agar. Media solidified with 2.8% guar gum was transparent and supportive for the growth of three test fungi (Trichoderma harzianum, Alternaria alternata and Alternaria solani) as good as agar. Guar gum also excelled in terms of cost benefit ratio when compared with agar. Guar gum fortified media was found to cost $0.005/L as compared to agar supplemented media costing$ 1.17/L. Further, guar gum is easily available and can be added with ease thereby serving as a suitable and inexpensive substitute of agar and thus, can be adopted for routine microbiological testing in resource poor countries.Key words: Guar gum, media, agar, gelling agents

A Population-based Study of Hospital Admission Incidence Rate and Bacterial Aetiology of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections in Children Aged Less Than Five Years in Bangladesh

The research was carried out to study the rate of population-based hospital admissions due to acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) and bacterial aetiology of ALRIs in children aged less than five years in Bangladesh. A cohort of children aged less than five years in a rural surveillance population in Matlab, Bangladesh, was studied for two years. Cases were children admitted to the Matlab Hospital of ICDDR,B with a diagnosis of severe ALRIs. Bacterial aetiology was determined by blood culture. Antimicrobial resistance patterns of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) isolates were determined using the disc-diffusion method. In total, 18,983 children aged less than five years contributed to 24,902 child-years of observation (CYO). The incidence of ALRI-related hospital admissions was 50.2 per 1,000 CYO. The incidences of ALRI were 67% higher in males than in females and were higher in children aged less than two years than in older children. About 34% of the cases received antibiotics prior to hospitalization. Of 840 blood samples cultured, 39.4% grew a bacterial isolate; 11.3% were potential respiratory pathogens, and the rest were considered contaminants. The predominant isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (4.5%). Hib (0.4%) and Spn (0.8%) were rarely isolated; however, resistance of both these pathogens to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was common. The rate of ALRI-related hospitalizations was high. The high rate of contamination, coupled with high background antibiotic use, might have contributed to an underestimation of the burden of Hib and Spn. Future studies should use more sensitive methods and more systematically look for resistance patterns of other pathogens in addition to Hib and Spn