On-line Handwritten Character Recognition: An Implementation of Counterpropagation Neural Net

On-line handwritten scripts are usually dealt with pen tip traces from pen-down to pen-up positions. Time evaluation of the pen coordinates is also considered along with trajectory information. However, the data obtained needs a lot of preprocessing including filtering, smoothing, slant removing and size normalization before recognition process. Instead of doing such lengthy preprocessing, this paper presents a simple approach to extract the useful character information. This work evaluates the use of the counter- propagation neural network (CPN) and presents feature extraction mechanism in full detail to work with on-line handwriting recognition. The obtained recognition rates were 60% to 94% using the CPN for different sets of character samples. This paper also describes a performance study in which a recognition mechanism with multiple hresholds is evaluated for counter-propagation architecture. The results indicate that the application of multiple thresholds has significant effect on recognition mechanism. The method is applicable for off-line character recognition as well. The technique is tested for upper-case English alphabets for a number of different styles from different peoples

Feature enhancement for extracting on-line isolated handwritten characters

The study of online handwriting recognition has gained an immense interest among the researchers especially with the increase in use of the personal digital assistant (PDA). The large number of writing styles and the variability between them make the handwriting recognition a challenging area to date. The present tools for modelling are not sufficient to cater for the various styles of human handwriting. Furthermore, the techniques used to get appropriate features, architecture and network parameters for online handwriting recognition are still ineffective. The success of any recognition system depends critically upon how far a set of appropriate numerical attributes or features can be extracted from the object of interest for the purpose of recognition. Thus the aim of this research work is to propose novel feature extraction methods to facilitate a system or device to achieve satisfactory online handwriting recognition. Two new simple and robust methods based on annotated image and sub-character primitive feature extractions have been proposed. The selection of features is based mainly on their effectiveness. Using the proposed techniques and a neural network based classifier, several experiments were carried out using the UNIPEN benchmark database. The techniques are independent of character size and can extract features from raw data without resizing. The maximum recognition rates achieved are 94% and 92% for annotated image and subcharacter primitive methods respectively

TELE ENT: A Step Forward in Providing Specialist Services in Far Remote Areas

To study the utility of tele medicinein providing ENT services to far remote areasMethods: In this descriptive study 2 hourlyweekly consultations were given by ENT consultantson every friday in Tele Medicine office. Four remoteareas were connected through strong satelliteConnectivity of 512 Kbs and 1 MB to Pindi throughvideo conferencing with real time imaging modalitywas used. The tools used to diagnose the patientswere video Otoscope to examine the ear, videoendoscope and tongue depressor for oral cavityexamination. Routine blood and urine examinationalong with required other specific tests like x-Ray,pure tune audiometry were advised accordingly,then patients were given treatment for their specificproblem and given dates for follow up visit. Somepatients were booked for surgery and given date ofadmission in our hospital. Only some patients withlaryngeal and nasal problems were asked to visit theOPD for a clearer and better diagnosis as nasal andlaryngeal examination could not be done throughvideo conferencing. Patients who were given timefor surgery got their investigations done in theirhome town and were admitted straightaway as theyarrived in our hospital. These patients werescheduled for surgery on the next list, and weresuccessfully operated and followed up postoperatively.Results: A total of 2159 patients were included inour study, two third of which were females and restmale. Majority of our patients had ear problemfollowed by throat and nasal problems 1287 of ourpatients were successfully managed conservativelythrough video conferencing. A total of 792 patientswere referred to us in Holy Family Hospital out ofwhich 661 were successfully operated and out ofthese patients 459 were followed up postoperativelythrough video conferencing. The major operationsdone were Tonsillectomy, Septoplasty, Endoscopies(direct laryngoscopies and esophagoscopies),mastoidectomies, and thyroidectomy. A fewemergency cases like foreign body nose and earremoval along with foreign body throat removal,incision of peritonsillar abscess and mastoid abscesswere also done.Conclusion: Video conferencing in ENT is aneffective tool and method of assessing and treatingENT conditions. Through Tele ENT potentialsurgical admissions can be screene

Antibiotic resistance among Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A in Pakistan (2001-2006).

Objectives: To compare antimicrobial resistance in S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A isolates from Pakistan. Methods: Blood samples were collected through \u3e 175 laboratory collection points in major cities and towns across the country. The study included 3,671 S. Typhi and 1,475 S. Paratyphi A isolates (2001-2006). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined as resistance to first-line agents co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol and ampicillin. Results: In total, 79.3% S. Typhi and 59.9% S. Paratyphi A were isolated from Patients under 15 years of age. During the study period, the MDR rate increased in S. Typhi (34.2 to 48.5% p 1 microg/ml) increased in both S. Typhi (1.6 to 64.1% p4 microg/ml) was greater in S. Paratyphi A when compared to S. Typhi. Resistance to first-line drugs was higher in those Conclusion: Differences between S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A, in terms of evolution of resistance to first-line agents and to quinolones, are evident in this population. The rapid increase in quinolone resistance in S. Paratyphi A when compared to S. Typhi is concerning and requires further study

Clinical outcome of post placental IUD CuT380 insertion in terms of expulsion

Background: Insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) immediately after delivery has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), as one of the safe and effective methods of temporary contraception. In the immediate post delivery period the women are highly motivated and need an effective method for contraception so that the child can be brought up with a relaxed mind without the worry of unintended pregnancy. This approach is more applicable to our country where delivery may be the only time when a healthy woman comes in contact with health care personnel. However, immediate post-partum IUD insertion may have disadvantages as well. The risk of spontaneous expulsion may be unacceptably high.Methods: After taking approval from hospital ethical committee, all women planning vaginal delivery desiring IUD, admitted through OPD and emergency were evaluated in detailed on design Performa Performa include patient’s identity, age, parity, gestational age, no of alive children, outcome and timings of insertion. Informed consent was obtained. With aseptic precautions IUD was inserted with kellys forceps in the uterine cavity up to the fundus, then cervix was examined for thread (that should not be visible at cervix if proper insertion done). The procedure was performed by myself. Patients were followed at 6week by examining the threat of IUD. All the information was recorded by myself. Follow up was done by taking patients contact number.Results: In our study, out of 300 cases, 63.67% (n=191) were between 18-30 years of age while 36.33% (n=109) were between 31-40 years of age, mean+sd was calculated as 29.49+4.62 years, mean gestational age was calculated as 38.53+0.94 weeks, mean parity was calculated as 3.49+1.06 paras. Frequency of expulsion in post placental intra uterine device cuT 380 insertions reveals in 8.67% (n=26).Conclusions: We concluded that the frequency of expulsion in post placental intra uterine device cuT 380 insertions is not significantly higher and appears to be safe and effective method of contraception.

Application of Gene Expression Programming (GEP) for the prediction of compressive strength of geopolymer concrete

For the production of geopolymer concrete (GPC), fly-ash (FA) like waste material has been effectively utilized by various researchers. In this paper, the soft computing techniques known as gene expression programming (GEP) are executed to deliver an empirical equation to estimate the compressive strength of GPC made by employing FA. To build a model, a consistent, extensive and reliable data base is compiled through a detailed review of the published research. The compiled data set is comprised of 298 experimental results. The utmost dominant parameters are counted as explanatory variables, in other words, the extra water added as percent FA (), the percentage of plasticizer (), the initial curing temperature (), the age of the specimen (), the curing duration (), the fine aggregate to total aggregate ratio (), the percentage of total aggregate by volume (), the percent SiO2 solids to water ratio () in sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) solution, the NaOH solution molarity (), the activator or alkali to FA ratio (), the sodium oxide (Na2O) to water ratio () for preparing Na2SiO3 solution, and the Na2SiO3 to NaOH ratio (). A GEP empirical equation is proposed to estimate the of GPC made with FA. The accuracy, generalization, and prediction capability of the proposed model was evaluated by performing parametric analysis, applying statistical checks, and then compared with non-linear and linear regression equations