Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs): Challenges, Solutions, and Future Directions

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) is a novel class of deep generative models which has recently gained significant attention. GANs learns complex and high-dimensional distributions implicitly over images, audio, and data. However, there exists major challenges in training of GANs, i.e., mode collapse, non-convergence and instability, due to inappropriate design of network architecture, use of objective function and selection of optimization algorithm. Recently, to address these challenges, several solutions for better design and optimization of GANs have been investigated based on techniques of re-engineered network architectures, new objective functions and alternative optimization algorithms. To the best of our knowledge, there is no existing survey that has particularly focused on broad and systematic developments of these solutions. In this study, we perform a comprehensive survey of the advancements in GANs design and optimization solutions proposed to handle GANs challenges. We first identify key research issues within each design and optimization technique and then propose a new taxonomy to structure solutions by key research issues. In accordance with the taxonomy, we provide a detailed discussion on different GANs variants proposed within each solution and their relationships. Finally, based on the insights gained, we present the promising research directions in this rapidly growing field.Comment: 42 pages, Figure 13, Table

Synthesis of Al and Ag nanoparticles through ultra-sonic dissociation of thermal evaporation deposited thin films for promising clinical applications as polymer nanocomposite

Nanoparticles (NPs) having well-defined shape, size and clean surface serve as ideal model system to investigate surface/interfacial reactions. Ag and Al NPs are receiving great interest due to their wide applications in bio-medical field, aerospace and space technology as combustible additives in propellants and hydrogen generation. Hence, in this study, we have synthesized Ag and Al NPs using an innovative approach of ultra-sonic dissociation of thin films. Phase and particle size distributions of the Ag and Al NPs have been determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thin film dissociation/dissolution mechanism, hence conversion into NPs has been characterized by SEM- scanning electron microscope. EDXA & ICPMS have been performed for chemical analysis of NPs. Optical properties have been characterized by UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy. These NPs have also been investigated for their anti-bacterial activity against Escherichia coli bacteria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time when NPs has been synthesized by ultra-sonic dissociation of thin films. As an application, these NPs were used further for synthesis of nanocomposite polymer membranes, which show excellent activity against bio film formation

STUDY OF THE IN-VITRO METABOLIC PROFILE OF AMLODIPINE IN HUMAN HEPATIC CELL LINE AND CHICKEN LIVER TISSUE USING LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY/MASS SPECTROMETRY

ABSTRACTObjective: The main objective of this study was to investigate the in-vitro metabolic profile of Amlodipine (AMD) using normal human hepatic celllines and chicken liver tissue and to characterize the metabolites obtained using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Methods: In the present study, the metabolic profile of AMD, a well-known calcium channel blocker, was investigated in normal human hepatic celllines and chicken liver tissue employing LC-MS/MS technique. The structural details on AMD metabolites were acquired using triple quadrupole massspectrometer (LCMS-8040, Shimadzu). The metabolites were produced by incubation of AMD with the human hepatic cell lines and chicken livertissue at 37 °C for 24 h. The incubated extracts were analyzed on LC-MS/MS and their product ion spectra were acquired, interpreted and tentativestructures were proposed.Results: Twelve Phase I and Phase II metabolites were successfully detected in the proposed study. The main metabolic changes observed were oxidativedeamination, N-acetylation, de-esterification, hydrogenation, de-methylation, aliphatic hydroxylation, and glucuronidation of dehydrogenated AMD.Based on this information, the tentative structures of the metabolites were postulated.Conclusion: The in-vitro metabolites of AMD were successfully investigated and characterized in human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue.Furthermore, both models were found to be equally effective for carrying out the in-vitro metabolic study of AMD.Keywords: Amlodipine, Metabolites, Hepatic cell lines, Chicken liver tissue, Liquid chromatography, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry

Bioethanol production from pea hull aqueous extract as a novel substrate using Saccharomyces cerevisiae

253-259Use of agricultural wastes as substrate for the production of bioethanol can help to solve environmental problems caused by inadequate discharge of waste. The production of bioethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae using pea hull aqueous extract as a substrate was evaluated in this work. Response surface methodology was employed to study the effect of different parameters such as inoculum concentration (3-7%), fermentation time (24-71 h) and pH (4.4, 4.8 and 5.2) on the production of bioethanol. Results revealed that highest bioethanol yield of 1.65% occurred at 6.8% inoculum concentration; 71 h of fermentation time in the medium with initial pH 5.2. The study highlights that pea hull aqueous extract can be utilized for bioethanol production with extended fermentation times

INVESTIGATION OF IN VITRO METABOLITES OF ETODOLAC IN HUMAN HEPATIC CELL LINE AND CHICKEN LIVER TISSUE USING LC-MS/MS

Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro metabolic profile of etodolac (ETD) using normal human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue, and to characterize the metabolites obtained using Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Methods: In the present study, the metabolic profile of ETD, a well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), was investigated in normal human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue employing LC-MS/MS technique. The structural details on ETD metabolites were acquired using triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LCMS-8040, Shimadzu). The metabolites were produced by incubation of ETD with the human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue, at 37 °C for 24 h. The incubated extracts were analyzed with LC-MS/MS and their production spectra were acquired, interpreted and tentative structures were proposed.Results: Six phase I and phase II metabolites were successfully detected in the proposed study. The metabolic changes observed included-oxidation, N-acetylation, hydrogenation, decarboxylation, methylation and glucuronidation of dehydrogenated ETD. The tentative structures of the metabolites were postulated based on the chemical reactions predicted and the LC-MS/MS data obtained.Conclusion: The in vitro metabolites of ETD were successfully investigated and characterized in human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue. Also, both the models were found to be equally effective for carrying out the in vitro metabolic study of ETD.Keywords: Etodolac, Metabolites, Hepatic cell lines, Chicken liver tissue, LC, LC-MS/M

Parental Learning and School Readiness in the Gearing Up for Kindergarten Program

Entering kindergarten is a key moment in a young child’s life, and parents are a child’s first teacher. What can guide parents as they assist children with school readiness? Gearing Up for Kindergarten is an intensive parent education and school readiness program designed to help parents and children prepare for school. Gearing Up for Kindergarten is a parent education program that combines early learning opportunities for pre-kindergarten children with parent education opportunities for adults. This study presents findings from evaluation efforts conducted with 59 Gearing Up for Kindergarten adult participants during the 2006-2007 school year. Participants in the program demonstrated (1) high satisfaction with program quality and experiences, (2) impacts on parental knowledge and confidence, and (3) significant and positive changes in parental practices related to school readiness. Implications for parent education and programs intended to strengthen school readiness among pre-kindergarten children are explored. Parent education on school readiness can provide a substantive resource as parents help their children develop and become ready for the school years

Sterile water injection labour analgesia in a parturient with preeclampsia with thrombocytopenia

Pregnancy induced hypertension is one of the most common causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. A G2L1A1 female with period of gestation 36 weeks presented in our hospital with early labour pains. She was a known case of pregnancy induced hypertension with thrombocytopenia and had been operated on the lumbar spine for Potts spine. She was administered intradermal sterile water injection labour analgesia every 3 hours. The labour was uneventful and patient had a normal vaginal delivery of a male baby. The postnatal course was uneventful and patient was satisfied with the labour analgesia

Comparative evaluation of colposcopy, cytology and histopathology for diagnosis of cervical lesions

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer globally in women with an estimated 570,000 new cases and 311,000 deaths in 2018 representing 6.6% of all female cancers. To correlate the cytology, colposcopy and histopathology of cervical lesions in patients attending gynaecology OPD in a tertiary care centre, Ghaziabad.Methods: 208 women were enrolled from Gynaecology OPD of Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad, irrespective of their chief complaints. Women aged 19-80 years were included in the study group. Those with pregnancy and already diagnosed or treated with CIN, Cervical cancer or Cervical HPV infection were excluded from the study. PAP-smear was taken for all the patients followed by colposcopy without waiting for PAP-smear report. Cervical biopsy was taken from patients with abnormal colposcopic findings (90 patients).Results: Majority of women were in age group 30-39 years. 37.5% had unhealthy, 21.6% had hypertrophied cervix and only 9.1% had normal cervix. It was found that PAP -smear has a sensitivity of 33.33%, specificity of 92.59%, accuracy of 68.89%, positive predictive value of 75% and negative predictive value of 67.57%. Test parameters calculated for colposcopy revealed that it has sensitivity of 73.33%, specificity of 92%, PPV of 64.7%, NPV of 94.52% and accuracy of 88.89%.Conclusions: The results from the current study conclude that it is better to use cytology and colposcopy together as part of routine screening for cervical cancer rather than pap smear alone in order to detect maximum number of lesions