Machine Learning Approach for Autonomous Detection and Classification of COVID-19 Virus.

As people all over the world are vulnerable to be affected by the COVID-19 virus, the automatic detection of such a virus is an important concern. The paper aims to detect and classify corona virus using machine learning. To spot and identify corona virus in CT-Lung screening and Computer-Aided diagnosis (CAD) system is projected to distinguish and classifies the COVID-19. By utilizing the clinical specimens obtained from the corona-infected patients with the help of some machine learning techniques like Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, K-means clustering, and Radial Basis Function. While some specialists believe that the RT-PCR test is the best option for diagnosing Covid-19 patients, others believe that CT scans of the lungs can be more accurate in diagnosing corona virus infection, as well as being less expensive than the PCR test. The clinical specimens include serum specimens, respiratory secretions, and whole blood specimens. Overall, 15 factors are measured from these specimens as the result of the previous clinical examinations. The proposed CAD system consists of four phases starting with the CT lungs screening collection, followed by a pre-processing stage to enhance the appearance of the ground glass opacities (GGOs) nodules as they originally lock hazy with fainting contrast. A modified K-means algorithm will be used to detect and segment these regions. Finally, the use of detected, infected areas that obtained in the detection phase with a scale of 50×50 and perform segmentation of the solid false positives that seem to be GGOs as inputs and targets for the machine learning classifiers, here a support vector machine (SVM) and Radial basis function (RBF) has been utilized. Moreover, a GUI application is developed which avoids the confusion of the doctors for getting the exact results by giving the 15 input factors obtained from the clinical specimens.

Efficient Dye Degradation and Antimicrobial Behavior with Molecular Docking Performance of Silver and Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Doped Zn-Fe Layered Double Hydroxide.

Zn-Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH) was synthesized through the low-temperature-based coprecipitation method. Various concentrations of Ag (1, 3, and 5 wt %) with a fixed amount (5 wt %) of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were doped into LDH nanocomposites. This research aims to improve the bactericidal properties and catalytic activities of doping-dependent nanocomposites. Adding Ag and PVP to LDH enhanced oxygen vacancies, which increased the amount of hydroxide adsorption sites and the number of active sites. The doped LDH was employed to degrade rhodamine-B dye in the presence of a reducing agent (NaBH4), and the obtained results showed maximum dye degradation in a basic medium compared to acidic and neutral. The bactericidal efficacy of doped Zn-Fe (5 wt %) showed a considerably greater inhibition zone of 3.65 mm against Gram-negative (G-ve) or Escherichia coli (E. coli). Furthermore, molecular docking was used to decipher the mystery behind the microbicidal action of Ag-doped PVP/Zn-Fe LDH and to propose an inhibition mechanism of ß-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase IIE. coli (FabH) and deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase E. coli behind in vitro results.

An incidental case of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency: One case, multiple challenges.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder that shows large phenotypical variability, ranging from no symptoms to intellectual disability, motor retardation, and convulsions. In addition, homozygous and heterozygous mutation carriers can develop severe 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) toxicity. The lack of genotype-phenotype correlation and the possibility of other factors playing a role in the manifestation of the neurological abnormalities, make the management and education of asymptomatic DPD individuals more challenging. We describe a 3-month-old baby who was incidentally found by urine organic acid testing (done as part of positive newborn screen) to have very high level of thymine and uracil, consistent with DPD deficiency. Since the prevalence of asymptomatic DPD deficiency in the general population is fairly significant (1 in 10,000), we emphasize in this case study the importance of developing a guideline in genetic counseling and patient education for this condition as well as other incidental laboratory findings.

An Efficient Deep Learning Mechanism for the Recognition of Olive Trees in Jouf Region.

Olive trees grow all over the world in reasonably moderate and dry climates, making them fortunate and medicinal. Pesticides are required to improve crop quality and productivity. Olive trees have had important cultural and economic significance since the early pre-Roman era. In 2019, Al-Jouf region in a Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's north achieved global prominence by breaking a Guinness World Record for having more number of olive trees in a world. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) were increasingly being used in aerial sensing activities. However, sensing data must be processed further before it can be used. This processing necessitates a huge amount of computational power as well as the time until transmission. Accurately measuring the biovolume of trees is an initial step in monitoring their effectiveness in olive output and health. To overcome these issues, we initially formed a large scale of olive database for deep learning technology and applications. The collection comprises 250 RGB photos captured throughout Al-Jouf, KSA. This paper employs among the greatest efficient deep learning occurrence segmentation techniques (Mask Regional-CNN) with photos from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to calculate the biovolume of single olive trees. Then, using satellite imagery, we present an actual deep learning method (SwinTU-net) for identifying and counting of olive trees. SwinTU-net is a U-net-like network that includes encoding, decoding, and skipping links. SwinTU-net's essential unit for learning locally and globally semantic features is the Swin Transformer blocks. Then, we tested the method on photos with several wavelength channels (red, greenish, blues, and infrared region) and vegetation indexes (NDVI and GNDVI). The effectiveness of RGB images is evaluated at the two spatial rulings: 3 cm/pixel and 13 cm/pixel, whereas NDVI and GNDV images have only been evaluated at 13 cm/pixel. As a result of integrating all datasets of GNDVI and NDVI, all generated mask regional-CNN-based systems performed well in segmenting tree crowns (F1-measure from 95.0 to 98.0 percent). Based on ground truth readings in a group of trees, a calculated biovolume was 82 percent accurate. These findings support all usage of NDVI and GNDVI spectrum indices in UAV pictures to accurately estimate the biovolume of distributed trees including olive trees.

GAMMA SPECTROMETRY AND NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF TOOT OILFIELD WELLS OF DATTA FORMATION, UPPER INDUS BASIN, DISTRICT ATTOCK, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN.

Present study was aimed to investigate trace elemental composition and possible elemental correlation with depth of some Pakistani wells. Exploratory oil wells of Toot oilfield from Potwar region of upper Indus basin were selected for this purpose. Samples of well cuttings and soil sections were collected with the assistance of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited. Elemental analyses were performed using instrumental neutron activation analysis. This study is the first of its kind to report detailed elemental profile of Toot oilfield, Attock, Punjab, Pakistan, via instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Source formation of Toot oilfield is characterized by Jurassic Datta formation. Around 19-26 elements were identified by INAA. Major, minor and trace elemental concentrations varied with depths along the sampling lines. Data analysis was performed by the application of principal component analysis (PCA). PCA was useful in differentiating between surface and depth samples. Elemental volumes of different wells were established through bi-plots. In extension, naturally occurring radioactive materials and technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials were also determined for the wells of Toot oilfield. Annual dose rates and activity levels were calculated in oil well formations. Measurements of annual dose rates fall within safe limits, indicating anodyne atmosphere. Contamination indices, such as enrichment factor with respect to Al, geo accumulation index (Igeo), pollution index and integrated pollution index, were also determined. Cr and Zn were found to cross the safe limits, which may be due to the local industrial and anthropogenic activities.

Effect of the Source-to-Substrate Distance on Structural, Optoelectronic, and Thermoelectric Properties of Zinc Sulfide Thin Films.

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) thin films with variable structural, optical, electrical, and thermoelectric properties were obtained by changing the source-to-substrate (SSD) distance in the physical-vapor-thermal-coating (PVTC) system. The films crystallized into a zinc-blende cubic structure with (111) preferred orientation. The films had a wide 3.54 eV optical band gap. High-quality homogenous thin films were obtained at 60 mm SSD. The sheet resistance and resistivity of the films decreased from 1011 to 1010 Ω/Sq. and from 106 to 105 Ω-cm, when SSD was increased from 20 mm to 60 mm, respectively. The phase and band gap were also verified by first principles that were in agreement with the experimental results. Thermoelectric characteristics were studied by using the semi-classical Boltzmann transport theory. The high quality, wide band gap, and reduced electrical resistance make ZnS a suitable candidate for the window layer in solar cells.

The Interrelation of Synthesis Conditions and Wettability Properties of the Porous Anodic Alumina Membranes.

The results of studies on the wettability properties and preparation of porous anodic alumina (PAA) membranes with a 3.3 ± 0.2 µm thickness and a variety of pore sizes are presented in this article. The wettability feature results, as well as the fabrication processing characteristics and morphology, are presented. The microstructure effect of these surfaces on wettability properties is analyzed in comparison to outer PAA surfaces. The interfacial contact angle was measured for amorphous PAA membranes as-fabricated and after a modification technique (pore widening), with pore sizes ranging from 20 to 130 nm. Different surface morphologies of such alumina can be obtained by adjusting synthesis conditions, which allows the surface properties to change from hydrophilic (contact angle is approximately 13°) to hydrophobic (contact angle is 100°). This research could propose a new method for designing functional surfaces with tunable wettability. The potential applications of ordinary alumina as multifunctional films are demonstrated.

Nano-enabled strategies to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a threat to global health because of limited treatments. MRSA infections are difficult to treat due to increasingly developing resistance in combination with protective biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Nanotechnology-based research revealed that effective MRSA treatments could be achieved through targeted nanoparticles (NPs) that withstand biological films and drug resistance. Thus, the principal aim towards improving MRSA treatment is to advance drug delivery tools, which successfully address the delivery-related problems. These potential delivery tools would also carry drugs to the desired sites of therapeutic action to overcome the adverse effects. This review focused on different types of nano-engineered carriers system for antimicrobial agents with improved therapeutic efficacy of entrapped drugs. The structural characteristics that play an essential role in the effectiveness of delivery systems have also been addressed with a description of recent scientific advances in antimicrobial treatment, emphasizing challenges in MRSA treatments. Consequently, existing gaps in the literature are highlighted, and reported contradictions are identified, allowing for the development of roadmaps for future research.

Smokers and non smokers with rheumatoid arthritis have similar clinical status: data from the multinational QUEST-RA database.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse clinical severity/activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to smoking status. METHODS: The QUEST-RA multinational database reviews patients for Core Data Set measures including 28 swollen and tender joint count, physician global estimate, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), HAQ-function, pain, and patient global estimate, as well as DAS28, rheumatoid factor (RF), nodules, erosions and number of DMARDs were recorded. Smoking status was assessed by self-report as 'never smoked', 'currently smoking' and 'former smokers'. Patient groups with different smoking status were compared for demographic and RA measures. RESULTS: Among the 7,307 patients with smoking data available, status as 'never smoked,' 'current smoker' and 'former smoker' were reported by 65%, 15% and 20%. Ever smokers were more likely to be RF-positive (OR 1.32;1.17-1.48, p<0.001). Rheumatoid nodules were more frequent in ever smokers (OR 1.41;1.24-1.59, p<0.001). The percentage of patients with erosive arthritis and extra-articular disease was similar in all smoking categories. Mean DAS28 was 4.4 (SD 1.6) in non-smokers vs. 4.0 (SD 1.6) in those who had ever smoked. However, when adjusted by age, sex, disease duration, and country gross domestic product, only ESR remained significantly different among Core Data Set measures (mean 31.7mm in non-smokers vs. 26.8mm in ever smoked category). CONCLUSIONS: RA patients who had ever smoked were more likely to have RF and nodules, but values for other clinical status measures were similar in all smoking categories (never smoked, current smokers and former smokers).

Analysis of sexual functions in male nondiabetic hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients.

SUMMARY: Disturbance of sexual functions among hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients (RTRs) is controversial. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to have a significant negative impact on sexual functions. Most previous studies concerning the issue of disturbance of sexual functions among hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients have included diabetic patients also, which might have influenced their results. The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual functions of nondiabetic male (NDM) dialysis patients and RTRs, and to compare our findings with those of the others. Twenty-five nondiabetic male RTRs, 25 age-matched NDM hemodialysis patients, and 25 age-matched NDM controls were the subjects of this study. Sexual functions of all subjects were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate statistical tests with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. Data were described using mean, standard deviation (SD), median and interquartile range (IQR). Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and hemodialysis patients had depressed erectile function (EF) and Intercourse satisfaction (IS) function, but normal orgasmic (OF) function. Sexual desire (SxD) function of RTRs group, although subnormal, was better than that of hemodialysis patients. Overall satisfaction (OS) of RTRs, unlike that of hemodialysis patients, was normal. Sexual dysfunction is prevalent even in NDM hemodialysis patients and RTRs. Although ED is equally prevalent among these two groups, it is more profound among the former one. OF is spared in these patients. Renal transplantation seems to normalize OS and improve SxD function of nondiabetic male renal transplant recipients (NDM RTRs).

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level.

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs.

CRIM-Negative Pompe Disease Patients with Satisfactory Clinical Outcomes on Enzyme Replacement Therapy.

Pompe disease, especially in its infantile form, is a fatal disease. Most of the patients with this disease synthesize a nonfunctional form of the enzyme alpha glucosidase (GAA), the deficient enzyme in this disease. Patients producing some amount of this protein are labeled as cross-reactive immunologic material (CRIM)-positive. Few of them are unable to synthesize it and are labeled CRIM-negative. The clinical course of the disease has changed with the advent of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant alpha glucosidase enzyme (rhGAA). However, CRIM-negative patients have always been known to have poor outcome on ERT due to the development of anti-rhGAA antibodies in their bodies that neutralizes ERT efficacy. Here, we describe two CRIM-negative siblings on rhGAA ERT with unusually low anti-rhGAA antibody titer and good clinical outcome. Up to our current knowledge, this is the first report that describes such a good response to ERT in CRIM-negative patients.