bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning Uniform Semantic Features for Natural Language and Programming Language Globally, Locally and Sequentially
Authors: Zhang Yudong , Zheng Wenhao , Li Ming
Published: August 2019

Semantic feature learning for natural language and programming language is a preliminary step in addressing many software mining tasks. Many existing methods leverage information in lexicon and syntax to learn features for textual data. However, such information is inadequate to represent the entire semantics in either text sentence or code snippet. This motivates us to propose a new approach to learn semantic features for both languages, through extracting three levels of information, namely global, local and sequential information, from textual data. For tasks involving both modalities, we project the data of both types into a uniform feature space so that the complementary knowledge in between can be utilized in their representation. In this paper, we build a novel and general-purpose feature learning framework called UniEmbed, to uniformly learn comprehensive semantic representation for both natural language and programming language. Experimental results on three real-world software mining tasks show that UniEmbed outperforms state-of-the-art models in feature learning and prove the capacity and effectiveness of our model.
SADIH: Semantic-Aware DIscrete Hashing
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Xie Guo-sen , Li Yang , Li Sheng , Huang Zi
Published: August 2019

Due to its low storage cost and fast query speed, hashing has been recognized to accomplish similarity search in largescale multimedia retrieval applications. Particularly, supervised hashing has recently received considerable research attention by leveraging the label information to preserve the pairwise similarities of data points in the Hamming space. However, there still remain two crucial bottlenecks: 1) the learning process of the full pairwise similarity preservation is computationally unaffordable and unscalable to deal with big data; 2) the available category information of data are not well-explored to learn discriminative hash functions. To overcome these challenges, we propose a unified Semantic-Aware DIscrete Hashing (SADIH) framework, which aims to directly embed the transformed semantic information into the asymmetric similarity approximation and discriminative hashing function learning. Specifically, a semantic-aware latent embedding is introduced to asymmetrically preserve the full pairwise similarities while skillfully handle the cumbersome n×n pairwise similarity matrix. Meanwhile, a semantic-aware autoencoder is developed to jointly preserve the data structures in the discriminative latent semantic space and perform data reconstruction. Moreover, an efficient alternating optimization algorithm is proposed to solve the resulting discrete optimization problem. Extensive experimental results on multiple large-scale datasets demonstrate that our SADIH can clearly outperform the state-of-the-art baselines with the additional benefit of lower computational costs.
Where to Go Next: A Spatio-Temporal Gated Network for Next POI Recommendation
Authors: Zhao Pengpeng , Zhu Haifeng , Liu Yanchi , Xu Jiajie , Li Zhixu , Zhuang Fuzhen , Sheng Victor S. , Zhou Xiaofang
Published: August 2019

Next Point-of-Interest (POI) recommendation is of great value for both location-based service providers and users. However, the state-of-the-art Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) rarely consider the spatio-temporal intervals between neighbor check-ins, which are essential for modeling user check-in behaviors in next POI recommendation. To this end, in this paper, we propose a new Spatio-Temporal Gated Network (STGN) by enhancing long-short term memory network, where spatio-temporal gates are introduced to capture the spatio-temporal relationships between successive checkins. Specifically, two pairs of time gate and distance gate are designed to control the short-term interest and the longterm interest updates, respectively. Moreover, we introduce coupled input and forget gates to reduce the number of parameters and further improve efficiency. Finally, we evaluate the proposed model using four real-world datasets from various location-based social networks. The experimental results show that our model significantly outperforms the state-ofthe-art approaches for next POI recommendation.
Aligning Domain-Specific Distribution and Classifier for Cross-Domain Classification from Multiple Sources
Authors: Zhu Yongchun , Zhuang Fuzhen , Wang Deqing
Published: August 2019

While Unsupervised Domain Adaptation (UDA) algorithms, i.e., there are only labeled data from source domains, have been actively studied in recent years, most algorithms and theoretical results focus on Single-source Unsupervised Domain Adaptation (SUDA). However, in the practical scenario, labeled data can be typically collected from multiple diverse sources, and they might be different not only from the target domain but also from each other. Thus, domain adapters from multiple sources should not be modeled in the same way. Recent deep learning based Multi-source Unsupervised Domain Adaptation (MUDA) algorithms focus on extracting common domain-invariant representations for all domains by aligning distribution of all pairs of source and target domains in a common feature space. However, it is often very hard to extract the same domain-invariant representations for all domains in MUDA. In addition, these methods match distributions without considering domain-specific decision boundaries between classes. To solve these problems, we propose a new framework with two alignment stages for MUDA which not only respectively aligns the distributions of each pair of source and target domains in multiple specific feature spaces, but also aligns the outputs of classifiers by utilizing the domainspecific decision boundaries. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our method can achieve remarkable results on popular benchmark datasets for image classification.
Consensus Adversarial Domain Adaptation
Authors: Zou Han , Zhou Yuxun , Yang Jianfei , Liu Huihan , Das Hari Prasanna , Spanos Costas J.
Published: August 2019

We propose a novel domain adaptation framework, namely Consensus Adversarial Domain Adaptation (CADA), that gives freedom to both target encoder and source encoder to embed data from both domains into a common domaininvariant feature space until they achieve consensus during adversarial learning. In this manner, the domain discrepancy can be further minimized in the embedded space, yielding more generalizable representations. The framework is also extended to establish a new few-shot domain adaptation scheme (F-CADA), that remarkably enhances the ADA performance by efficiently propagating a few labeled data once available in the target domain. Extensive experiments are conducted on the task of digit recognition across multiple benchmark datasets and a real-world problem involving WiFi-enabled device-free gesture recognition under spatial dynamics. The results show the compelling performance of CADA versus the state-of-the-art unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) and supervised domain adaptation (SDA) methods. Numerical experiments also demonstrate that F-CADA can significantly improve the adaptation performance even with sparsely labeled data in the target domain.
A Generic Approach to Accelerating Belief Propagation Based Incomplete Algorithms for DCOPs via a Branch-and-Bound Technique
Authors: Chen Ziyu , Jiang Xingqiong , Deng Yanchen , Chen Dingding , He Zhongshi
Published: August 2019

Belief propagation approaches, such as Max-Sum and its variants, are important methods to solve large-scale Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems (DCOPs). However, for problems with n-ary constraints, these algorithms face a huge challenge since their computational complexity scales exponentially with the number of variables a function holds. In this paper, we present a generic and easy-touse method based on a branch-and-bound technique to solve the issue, called Function Decomposing and State Pruning (FDSP). We theoretically prove that FDSP can provide monotonically non-increasing upper bounds and speed up belief propagation based incomplete DCOP algorithms without an effect on solution quality. Also, our empirically evaluation indicates that FDSP can reduce 97% of the search space at least and effectively accelerate Max-Sum, compared with the state-of-the-art.
Distributed Community Detection via Metastability of the 2-Choices Dynamics
Authors: Cruciani Emilio , Natale Emanuele , Scornavacca Giacomo
Published: August 2019

We investigate the behavior of a simple majority dynamics on networks of agents whose interaction topology exhibits a community structure. By leveraging recent advancements in the analysis of dynamics, we prove that, when the states of the nodes are randomly initialized, the system rapidly and stably converges to a configuration in which the communities maintain internal consensus on different states. This is the first analytical result on the behavior of dynamics for nonconsensus problems on non-complete topologies, based on the first symmetry-breaking analysis in such setting.Our result has several implications in different contexts in which dynamics are adopted for computational and biological modeling purposes. In the context of Label Propagation Algorithms, a class of widely used heuristics for community detection, it represents the first theoretical result on the behavior of a distributed label propagation algorithm with quasi-linear message complexity. In the context of evolutionary biology, dynamics such as the Moran process have been used to model the spread of mutations in genetic populations (Lieberman, Hauert, and Nowak 2005); our result shows that, when the probability of adoption of a given mutation by a node of the evolutionary graph depends super-linearly on the frequency of the mutation in the neighborhood of the node and the underlying evolutionary graph exhibits a community structure, there is a non-negligible probability for species differentiation to occur.
Diseño e implementación de un sistema de comunicaciones basado en luz visible
Authors: Caballero Barragan Sebastian , Guerrero Fabio G.
Published: August 2019

Introducción: El artículo es produto de la investigación: “Prototipo de un sistema de telecomunicaciones basado en luz visible”, realizado en la Universidad del Valle en el año 2018. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo fue construir un prototipo funcional de un sistema de telecomunicaciones basado en luz visible a través del cual se pueda realizar el estudio de las características, elementos y comportamientos más relevantes en relación con esta tecnología. Metodología: Para estudiar el comportamiento del prototipo desarrollado, se realizaron diferentes pruebas que variaron algunas de las variables presentadas en este tipo de sistemas de telecomunicaciones. Además, el prototipo desarrollado se probó en los modos simplex y halfduplex. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos al desarrollar este trabajo permitieron encontrar las características principales del prototipo, sus limitaciones, así como los elementos y variables que rigen un papel fundamental en su diseño. Originalidad: El diseño presentado propone el desarrollo de un prototipo de bajo costo, capaz de obtener los datos que se enviarán a través de la conexión a otros dispositivos a través de diferentes periféricos de comunicación o usar el ADC presente en el dispositivo de procesamiento utilizado. Limitación: Debido a los elementos de recepción utilizados en el prototipo, existe una limitación significativa en la velocidad de transmisión máxima alcanzable. Además, es importante mencionar que las condiciones en las que se implementa el prototipo pueden afectar su comportamiento, por ejemplo, los elementos que impiden la línea de visión entre los módulos de telecomunicaciones pueden detener la transmisión.
Artes visuais no cuidado de enfermagem em saúde mental: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: Roscoche Kariane Gomes Cezário , Sousa Albertina Antonielly Sydney de , Aguiar Adriana Sousa Carvalho de
Published: August 2019

Introdução: A práxis do enfermeiro em saúde mental deve envolver estratégias de promoção da saúde e que embasem o Relacionamento Terapêutico. Dentre essas, destaca-se o uso da arte, que permite a mobilização das subjetividades e sua expressão artística. Nesse contexto, destacam-se as produções visuais, que permitem aos sujeitos realizar construções simbólicas de sua realidade e expressar significados e sentidos inerentes à sua produção. Objetivo: Descrever o uso das artes visuais por enfermeiros no cuidado em Saúde Mental segundo a literatura científica. Material e Métodos: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura com identificação de resultados entre os anos de 1997 e 2018. Os dados foram coletados no portal de Periódicos da Coordenaria de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior e nas bases Literatura Latino-americana de Ciências da Saúde e Scientific Eletronic Library Online. Selecionaram-se artigos originais, disponíveis na íntegra em inglês, espanhol ou português, com pelo menos um enfermeiro entre os autores do estudo. Resultados: Segundo os critérios de elegibilidade, selecionaram-se 17 estudos, predominantemente qualitativos, realizados em ambiente hospitalar e com adultos em sofrimento psíquico e outras doenças crônicas. Como recursos artísticos utilizados nos estudos, destaca-se o uso da argila, pintura, desenho, colagem, costura, construção de legados com miçangas e exposição de obras de arte. Conclusão: os enfermeiros utilizam a arte nos diferentes âmbitos de cuidado e as intervenções com artes visuais impactaram positivamente sobre diversos aspectos da saúde mental dos indivíduos. Como benefícios destacam-se a facilitação da comunicação terapêutica, estímulo à partilha das vivências e reflexão, por parte dos sujeitos, do impacto do adoecimento sobre sua saúde mental.
Estimations of Sensor Misorientation for Broadband Seismic Stations in and around Africa
Authors: Ojo Adebayo Oluwaseun , Zhao Li , Wang Xin
Published: August 2019

To ensure the accuracy of future seismological studies using horizontal‐component data recorded by broadband seismic stations in Africa and environs, we investigate the sensor orientation of 1075 stations belonging to 41 seismic networks deployed in and around the African continent in the past three decades. We applied three independent waveform‐based orientation estimation methods that involve the measurement of P‐wave particle motion based on the principal component analysis, minimizing the P‐wave energy on the transverse component of motion, and measuring intermediate‐period Rayleigh‐wave arrival angles from teleseismic earthquakes. We found that 34.3%–43.5% of the stations are well oriented within 3°, 40%–48.2% have sensor misorientation values between 3° and 10°, whereas 16.5%–18% of the stations are misaligned by more than 10°, most likely true sensor misorientation. The fairly high correlation coefficients (0.71–0.93) and very small mean (−0.01°–0.06°) and median (−0.04°–0.3°) differences suggest a high consistency among the estimates from the three methods. Likewise, the comparison of our results with reported orientations in the metadata at 33 stations demonstrates the robustness of the results obtained in this study. Likewise, the increase in the cross‐correlation coefficients and reduced time shifts between the Rayleigh‐wave signals on the vertical and Hilbert‐transformed radial components when the sensor misorientation angles are corrected show the importance of this study. An investigation of the time dependence of the estimated misorientation angles over the validation period reveals that the sensor orientation remained fairly constant for most stations included in the study. The nearly 180° sensor misorientation angles obtained at some stations led to the suspicion of possible polarity reversal of the seismometer components and/or channel mislabeling that was confirmed with a network manager for two of the seismic stations. Result of this study serves as a reference for future data users and a reminder to seismic network managers to decrease the number of errors that may lead to misorientations in future deployments.
A Shallow Earthquake Swarm Close to Hydrocarbon Activities: Discriminating between Natural and Induced Causes for the 2018–2019 Surrey, United Kingdom, Earthquake Sequence
Authors: Hicks Stephen P. , Verdon James , Baptie Brian , Luckett Richard , Mildon Zoë K. , Gernon Thomas
Published: August 2019

Earthquakes induced by subsurface industrial activities are a globally emotive issue, with a growing catalog of induced earthquake sequences. However, attempts at discriminating between natural and induced causes, particularly for anomalously shallow seismicity, can be challenging. An earthquake swarm during 2018–2019 in southeast England with a maximum magnitude of ML 3.2 received great public and media attention because of its proximity to operating oilfields. It is therefore vital and timely to provide a detailed characterization of the earthquake sequence at present, and to decide based on current evidence, whether the earthquakes were likely natural or induced. We detected 168 low‐magnitude earthquakes and computed detailed source parameters of these events. Most earthquakes occurred at a shallow depth of 2.3 km, >1  km deeper than the geological formations targeted by the oilfields, and laterally >3  km away from the drill sites. We combine the east–west‐trending cluster of the seismicity with 2D seismic reflection profiles to find the causative fault system for the earthquakes. A b‐value close to unity and strike‐slip faulting mechanisms are consistent with tectonic reactivation along a pre‐existing fault. Overall, we find no indicators in the earthquake parameters that would strongly suggest an induced source. Nor do we find any clear trends between seismicity and drilling activities based on operational logs provided by the operators. Injected volumes are near zero and monthly production amounts are many orders of magnitude smaller than other reported cases of extraction‐induced seismicity. On balance, and based on the available evidence, we find it currently unlikely that nearby industrial activities induced the seismic swarm. Most likely, the Surrey earthquakes offer a uniquely detailed insight into shallow seismicity within sedimentary basins. Nevertheless, self‐reporting of injection and production times and volumes by operators, and the lack of easily and publicly available oilfield operational data continues to be a point of concern for local residents.
Onion Extract Application Effects on Flowering Behavior and Yield, and a few Chemical Constituents of Shoots throughout Dormancy Break in "Anna" Apple Trees
Authors: Seif El-Yazal M.A. , Seif El-Yazal Samir A. , Morsi Mohamed E. , Rady Mostafa M.
Published: August 2019

Metabolic changes in water content, total carbohydrates, total sugars, reducing sugars, anthocyanin, total free amino acids, proline and total indoles in shoots of "Anna" apple (Malus sylvestris, Mill) trees were investigated during dormancy and bud break under the effect of foliar application of four onion extract rates (5, 10, 15 and 20%). Flowering percentage and fruit yield characteristics (i.e., fruit-set, number of fruits tree-1 and fruit yield tree-1) were increased, while number of days recorded to reach full bloom were reduced with the application of both onion extract rates (15 or 20%). In addition, contents of total carbohydrates, total sugars, reducing sugars, anthocyanin, total free amino acids, proline and total indoles in shoots were significantly increased in floral buds, particularly during bud break. In contrast, the content of free phenols was reduced. The best results were obtained from the rate of onion extract at the level of 20% followed by 15% that could be recommended for early and high percentage of flowering and increased yield by regulating the metabolism of amino acids, including proline and indoles in apple floral buds.
Determination of Five Mineral Element Contents in Pollen Grains of Different Seedling Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Male Trees Grown in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt
Authors: Seif El-Yazal M.A. , Seif El-Yazal Samir A.
Published: August 2019

This experiment was conducted to found the connection between sensible male pollinators and the content from mineral element (Zinc, Irion, Manganese, Cupper and Magnesium) in pollen grain of fifty seedling date palm male and compared it with the best selective five seedling date palm males (number 2, 10, 29, 40, 46) are appropriate and promising males for to be utilized in pollinating female date palms and mistreatment in breeding programs in previous study. Results found variations among the categories of pollen and elements. The highest concentration of zinc was found in males' number (2, 10, 40 and 46) which recorded 127,102, 115 and 122 μg/g dry weight respectively as compared to the other male trees. Also the highest concentration of iron was found in male number (40) which recorded 222 μg/g dry weight as compared to the other male trees. Moreover, notes from result excellence male number (10) in manganese concentration which recorded 202 μg/g dry weight as compared to the other male trees. In this concern, pollen grain of date palm male trees contained also, high concentrations of copper and magnesium the concentration ranging from 10 to 30 and 1320 to 1985 μg/g dry weight for copper and magnesium respectively. The best result for copper and magnesium which obtained from the selective male number (46) which recorded 30 and 1985 μg/g dry weight for copper and magnesium respectively as compared to the other male trees. From all the results we can conclude that the date palm pollen grain was as rich source of important minerals, so its suitability as a regular component in plant and human diet.
Schinus molle Leaves Compost Improves the Growth, Quality and Productivity of Strawberry (Fragaria × Ananassa Duch) in Potting Culture
Authors: Al-Madhagi Isam , Al-Sharagi Hossam
Published: August 2019

Schinus molle leaves, compost (SLC) incorporated with soil at different volume rates contrasted with control (soil alone), intending to improve and stimulating strawberry growth. Anecdotal accounts of SLC for these purposes the experiment has examined the impacts of SLC on strawberry growth and production responses. This research assessed the impacts of a six volume% (v: v) rates of SLC combined with soil at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 of growing medium (field soil). The pots RCBD experiment included four replicates designed at the faculty of agriculture, Sana’a University. Plants cultivated in 20% SLC was significantly (p<0.05) greater than control (field soil) in leaf area, yield, fruit weight and crown DM% by about 12.8% 25.8%, 20.4% and 101.6% subsequently. Meanwhile, transplants grown in 80 and 100% SLC developed the highest quantity of crowns and longer of peduncle. Transplants grown in 60% SLC was the poorest of flower number per plant measured with other treatments. Plants in 100% SLC showed the significantly downer of a DM% in the roots and crown parts 65.3% and 82.7% lower than control, respectively, nevertheless, composed the significantly greater 50.4% of fruit TSS than the control treatment. The variation between the SLC rates on the root characters showed that the 100% SLC increased the roots network volume cm3, root length cm2 root surface area cm2, specific root length cm. This study illustrates the benefit of that application SLC.
Impact of Abiotic Stress on Quality Traits of Maize Forage at Two Growth Stages
Authors: Mohammed S.H. , Mohammed Maarouf I.
Published: August 2019

Maize (Zeamays L.) forage quality traits are reported to show varying responses to abiotic stress. Four trials were conducted in Sudan (Africa) during the summer and winter seasons (2013 – 2014) at two locations: Shambat (normal soils) and Soba (salt affected soils) to investigate the effects of abiotic stress on the nutritive value of maize forage. In each trial nine maize genotypes were studied under two watering regimes arranged in split plot experiment in randomized complete block design. The compound effect of salt, water and heat stresses created by the combination of locations, seasons and watering regimes were used to investigate the effect of abiotic stress on forage quality at silk initiation and dough growth stages. Character associations under stressed and none stressed conditions were studied. NDF, ADF, CP, forage yield and related traits were measured. Abiotic stress significantly lowered the nutritive value in terms of crude protein, digestibility and intake potential. Digestibility under stressed condition was slightly improved as growth stage advanced from silk initiation to dough stage. Correlations under non stress conditions between forage yield and quality traits were either favorable with NDF and weak or insignificant with ADF and CP. Under stress conditions, similar trend generally exists apart from the unfavorable correlation of CP with each of yield and ADF, in addition to earliness with NDF. The compound effect of salt, water and heat stresses have adverse impact on the nutritive value of maize forage. Varieties combining high performance in quality and forage yield could be developed under non-stressed or stressed conditions.
Studies on In Vitro Response to Callus Induction and Regeneration of Five High Yielding Indica rice Varieties
Authors: Khan Md. Niuz Morshed , Islam Md. Monirul , Islam Dr. Md. Shahidul
Published: August 2019

Due to growing population, there is an increasing demand of rice production but the productivity of rice is lessened day by day. To overcome this problem various biotechnological tools can be used for developing various rice varieties. However, the lack of a simple and efficient protocol for callus induction, embryogenic callus formation and quick plant regeneration in this cereal crop. In this study embryogenic calli from mature seeds of five indica rice varieties viz. Binadhan-5, Binadhan-6, BRRI dhan-48, BRRI dhan-58 and IR-64 were observed that is done in four different types of media composition. The highest callus induction were observed in media containing Sucrose as a carbon source. Among those varieties Binadhan-6 and BRRI dhan-48 showed highest rate of callus induction respectively. This study will be useful for selecting suitable callus induction medium for callus induction in future that will be useful for not only national but also international plant breeders for producing new variety and so on.
Item analysis as tool to validate multiple choice question bank in pharmacology
Authors: Date Amit P. , Borkar Archana S. , Badwaik Rupesh T. , Siddiqui Riaz A. , Shende Tanaji R. , Dashputra Amruta V.
Published: August 2019

Background: Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are a common method for formative and summative assessment of medical students. Item analysis enables identifying good MCQs based on difficulty index (DIF I), discrimination index (DI), distracter efficiency (DE). The objective of this study was to assess the quality of MCQs currently in use in pharmacology by item analysis and develop a MCQ bank with quality items.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 148 second year MBBS students at NKP Salve institute of medical sciences from January 2018 to August 2018. Forty MCQs twenty each from the two term examination of pharmacology were taken for item analysis A correct response to an item was awarded one mark and each incorrect response was awarded zero. Each item was analyzed using Microsoft excel sheet for three parameters such as DIF I, DI, and DE.Results: In present study mean and standard deviation (SD) for Difficulty index (%) Discrimination index (%) and Distractor efficiency (%) were 64.54±19.63, 0.26±0.16 and 66.54±34.59 respectively. Out of 40 items large number of MCQs has acceptable level of DIF (70%) and good in discriminating higher and lower ability students DI (77.5%). Distractor efficiency related to presence of zero or 1 non-functional distrator (NFD) is 80%.Conclusions: The study showed that item analysis is a valid tool to identify quality items which regularly incorporated can help to develop a very useful, valid and a reliable question bank.
Topical corticosteroid misuse: observational study to evaluate pattern of abuse and adverse drug reactions
Authors: Saini Bhawna , Chahar Yatendar , Goyal Yogesh Kumar , Kumar Mohit , Bandyopadhyay Arkapal
Published: August 2019

Background: Topical corticosteroids (TC) have a reputation as anti-acne, anti-blemish effects and popularly used as fairness creams. In India, there has been a rise in misuse of TC in last10 years. The present study was conducted to analyse the magnitude of adverse effects of topical corticosteroids abuse in dermatology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients after categorizing them as a TC misuser by dermatologists. The socio-demographic data, chief complaints, details of drugs misuse and adverse drug reaction outcome was collected.Results: A total of 1240 patients was screened, out of which 80 patients misused TC without dermatologist prescription for their skin disease. TC was mainly misused by teenagers (43.8%). Misuse of topical corticosteroids was more common among females (76.3%). Betamethasone valerate (72.5%) was most common TC misused. Most common source of advice of TC misuse was friends (37.5%). Most common purpose of TC misuse was acne (55%) followed by cosmetic purposes (21.3%). The most common morphological varieties of adverse drug reactions were burning and itching sensation (53%) followed by increase severity of acne (44%).Conclusions: TC misuse was more common in teenage females. Most common adverse effect reported is burning and itch sensation followed by increase severity of acne. The study data indicates a significance of problem and requirement of urgent measures to control TC misuse.
Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding generic drugs and branded drugs: a cross sectional study
Authors: Kumar Gyanendra , Garg Aditi , Dhillon Jatinder Kaur , Eranhikkal Arshad , Smitha Manjakandi
Published: August 2019

Background: Medicines play a main role in the process of human development. The rational utilization of medicines can decrease morbidity and mortality as well as improve quality of life. In an era of steeply rising health care expenses, generic medicines provide a less expensive alternative to branded medicines. Use of generic drugs can contribute to substantial savings in medicines expenditure and the issue of access and affordability is thus addressed.Methods: A sample of 500 patients selected from out patient department was randomly selected. A self-instructed questionnaire was used for the study for the duration of 1 month. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics Version 20 New York, United States. Summary statistics were expressed using mean and standard deviation (SD) for numerical variables (median and interquartile ranges [IQRs] when skewed) and counts and percentages for categorical variables.Results: Participants reported with 17.23% knowledge score, 40.65% attitude score, and 7.96% attitude score.Conclusions: In the study it was found that there is significant correlation between knowledge and attitude whereas no correlation was found between knowledge and practice regarding usage of generic drugs.
Drug utilization pattern and selected biochemical parameters in pre- and post-hemodialysis state in the end stage renal disease patients: a cross sectional study at a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Gokulraj S. P. , Bouddh Surendra Kumar , Rajesh J.
Published: August 2019

Background: Chronic kidney disease can progress to end-stage kidney failure (ESRD), which is fatal without artificial filtering (dialysis) or a kidney transplant.Methods: The ESRD patients of either gender age >18 years who were diagnosed by nephrologist as ESRD and are on haemodialysis regularly included for the study.Results: The blood urea, serum creatinine, phosphorous, potassium levels were reduced significantly in post – haemodialysis condition, but, there was not much weight reduction after haemodialysis. Serum albumin, serum sodium and blood haemoglobin levels were almost unchanged in post – haemodialysis state. There was no significant difference between the pre and post haemodialysis parameters- serum Na+ serum albumin and blood hemoglobulin. Out of 75 ESRD patients, almost all patients 74 (98.7%) prescribed tablet Livogen, 73 (97.3%) patients given Inj. EPO, 55 (73.3%) tab Nicardia, 54 (76%) tab Sodamint, 43 (57.3%) capsule Alpha D3, 40 (53.3%) tab Shelcal. While between 12 (16%) to 20 (26%) patients prescribed tab Nodosis, tab Metoprolol, tab Febuget, tab Ecosprin, and tab Rantac. Only 1 (1.3%) to 9 (12%) patients received tablet Augmentin, tab Arkamine, tab Carvedilol, tab Para 500, tab Atorvas, Human mixtard, tab Calcicard, tab Minipress XL, tab Dytor, and tab Clopilet.Conclusions: The available two models of treatment, i.e., haemodialysis and poly pharmacy at hospital setup to face the challenges associated with the ESRD, and even outcome after application of both these two models of therapies did not provide optimal normal healthy life status to ESRD patients.
Evaluation of antioxidant potential of Emblica officinalis and Murraya koenigii and their role in modulation of cognitive function in diabetic rats
Authors: Arora Tarun , Kadali Rudhra P. , Prasad Dinesh K.
Published: August 2019

Background: Hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia seen in diabetes mellitus result in oxidative stress and pose significant risk of cognitive decline that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Approved anti-diabetic drugs have so far failed to demonstrate anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic activity, apart from saroglitazar. Therefore, this study was done to find a suitable anti-diabetic drug that possesses anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic activities and can reverse cognitive decline.Methods: Emblica officinalis (250 mg/kg, p.o. and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) and Murraya koenigii (250 mg/kg, p.o. and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) were chosen to study these activities in Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin [STZ] (50 mg/kg). Fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profile were measured on day 1 and day 30 of the experiment. Cognitive function was assessed by measuring transfer latency (TL) on elevated plus maze, step-down latency (SDL) on passive avoidance apparatus and retention latency (RL) and quadrant time (QT) in Morris water maze. Oxidative stress was assessed at end of study by measuring brain MDA and GSH levels. Cholinergic marker of cognition, AChE was measured in brain at end of study.Results: Both E. officinalis and M. koenigii showed dose dependent anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-oxidant effects in diabetic rats with 500 mg/kg dose showing significantly higher effect. Both 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg dose of E. officinalis and M. koenigii partially reversed cognitive decline in diabetic rats by day 30.Conclusions: 500 mg/kg p.o. dose of E. officinalis or M. koenigii has potential to reverse cognitive decline in diabetic patients.
Accidental injection of lignocaine with adrenaline in subarachnoid space: a case report
Authors: Arya Swati , Arya Ashish , Gupta Namrata
Published: August 2019

Drug errors are very common in medical field especially in anaesthesia where it’s the game of drugs. Here, we are presenting a case in which accidentally we injected lignocaine with adrenaline in place of heavy bupivacaine. Patient was of geriatric age group and posted for lower limb surgery under combined spinal epidural anaesthesia after placement of epidural catheter lumber puncture was done and 3ml of lignocaine with adrenaline was injected. After this patient develop complete sensory, motor blockade with hypotension. Level of block was up to T12 level patient was monitored for signs and symptoms of ransient neurologic syndrome (TNS) and anterior spinal artery syndrome for 24 hours. After 24 hours patient develop no complications and posted for surgery under general anaesthesia.so we have to be very careful about the labelling of drugs.
Morphometric analysis of the mandibular ramus and its clinical and medicolegal significance
Authors: Dave Urvi H. , Gupta Sunita , Astik Rajesh B.
Published: August 2019

Background: During natural calamities entire skeleton of single person could not be found. In such case, determination of sex with fragments of the bone available required range of data with proven accuracy. Hence this study is aimed at to provide range of data for minimum number of parameters of the ramus of the mandible.Methods: Three hundred dry mandibles of known sexes and bearing all teeth or intact alveolar margin were included in the study. Vertical height; maximum and minimum breadths of the ramus of the mandible were measured. All the data were analyzed for significance of the occurrence in relation to sex and laterality by means of paired t-test.Results: On the basis of all the three parameters together, we got 95% accuracy in determination of sex. Statistically significant differences were found in all parameters between male and female mandibles. The laterality distributions for all the parameters were found to be insignificant.Conclusions: Accurate determination of sex from the available bone fragments such as the ramus of the mandible required wide number of data from the least parameters that could be utilized medicolegally.
Comparison of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Score and Heart Score in risk stratification of acute myocardial infarction patients, prognostic accuracy and arrhythmia incidence
Authors: Batyala Keerthana , Nagabhushana M. V. , Dorasanamma Malli
Published: August 2019

Background: To compare TIMI & HEART SCORE for their risk stratification in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients,  prognostic accuracy and Arrhythmia incidence.Methods: This observational study is conducted in a Tertiary care hospital over a period of 2 years from August 2017 to July 2019. A total of 100 patients presented to ER with Chest Pain are selected for study. Patients were monitored for a period of one month in ICCU.Results: In present study out of 61 cases with TIMI score ≥5, mortality of 11.5%(7 cases, p value 0.028). Heart score more than 6  constitutes high risk group, out of which mortality was observed in 7.45% cases (p=0.48). Most of the arrhythmias (70.49%) in present study observed in patients with TIMI score ≥5 (High risk group) which is statistically significant with p value 0.002. Most of the arrhythmias in present study observed in patients with HS ≥8 which is not statistically significant with p value 0.135.Conclusions: In present study, overall mortality rate was 7% and these patients who died constitutes to high risk group with TIMI. HEART SCORE identified more patients as low risk compared to TIMI SCORE. TIMI SCORE is a good predictor of arrhythmia incidence.
Cardiovascular abnormalities in severe scrub typhus
Authors: Nadda Nishant , Mahajan Sanjay , Kaushik Madan , Merwaha Rajeev
Published: August 2019

Background: Himachal Pradesh is an endemic area for scrub typhus. If not treated early, it can lead to life threatening complications, affecting various systems of the body. Hence, this study was done with an objective to study the cardiovascular abnormalities in patients of severe scrub typhus.Methods: Authors conducted a hospital-based study in Departments of Medicine and Cardiology, of a tertiary care hospital in Sub-himalayan region in patients of severe scrub typhus from June 2016 to May 2017.Results: Thirty-two (55%) patients were aged <60 years with female preponderance (72%).   Electrocardiographic changes included sinus tachycardia in 56 (97%), axis deviation in 5(9%), ST-T changes in 3(5%) and atrial fibrillation in 1(2%). Echocardiographic changes included tricuspid regurgitation in 14(24%), pericardial effusion in 4(7%), myocarditis in 1(2%) and Regional wall motion abnormality in 1(2%). Left ventricular ejection fraction >45% in 47 (81%) and <45% in 11(19%).  Fifty-one patients had hypotension at presentation and 49 (90%) of them improved. Interestingly, 10 of 11 patients with reduced EF (<45%) survived whereas 6 of total 7 patients, who died, had preserved EF (>45 %).Conclusions: Severe scrub typhus manifested with ST/T changes, myocarditis, pericardial effusion, arrhythmias, shock and patients with reduced EF on Echocardiography had better outcome.
Clinicopathological profile of colorectal polyps: retrospective analysis from tertiary care center in Southern India
Authors: Chandolu Prudhvi K. , L. Venkatakrishnan , S. Vidhyalakshmi
Published: August 2019

Background: Colorectal Cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed and chronological changes in colorectal polyps and cancer is important in efficacy of screening strategies. In this study, we aimed to compare clinicopathological features of colorectal polyps and also aimed to characterise the distribution and the pathological features of polyps during an 18-year period divided in to two groups.Methods: This is retrospective analysis of cases that underwent colonoscopy and found to have colorectal polyps were re-viewed retrospectively for 18 year period are retrieved. 18 year period was divided in to 2001 to 2010 and 2011 to 2018.Results: Among 4230 patients underwent colonoscopy between January 2001 and September 2018, 1356 were excluded; of the remaining 2874, 986 were found to have 1,272 polyps. 306 patients had 412 polyps in 2001 to 2010 group and 680 patients had 860 polyps in 2011 to 2018 group. Adenomas on the left sided colon were significantly higher in the first time period (40.2% vs 30%, p <0.0003). Polyps on the right sided colon were significantly higher in the second time period (37.3% vs 36.9%, p <0.0005). The most common histology in the both periods is tubular adenoma. Histology of adenomas with high grade dysplasia were significantly more in first period (12.4% vs 7.6%, p <0.005).Conclusions: Our data shows shift in polyps from left side to right side colon in recent years. There was no significant change in shift in advanced adenomas from left side to right side of colon.
Ocular doppler imaging: opening a new window in decoding glaucoma
Authors: Senger K. P. S. , Anand A. K. , Singh Ankita , Sharma Vivek , Patiyal S.
Published: August 2019

Background: In the aetiopathogenesis of multifactorial glaucoma autoregulation of ocular blood flow plays an important role as failure of autoregulation may lead to progression of disease. Aim of this study to understand this better this study was designed to investigate the quantum of these abnormalities and their likely role in pathogenesis and prognosis of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG).Methods: This is a case control study design which involved 67 POAG patients and 67 matched controls. The parameters assessed includes peak systolic velocity(PSV), end diastolic velocity(EDV) and resistive index(RI) of ophthalmic artery(OA) and central retinal artery(CRA) of patients having POAG with age and sex matched healthy subjects. The data obtained was statistically analysed using IBM SPSS 21.Results: The study showed decreased PSV of 31.7 cm/s vs 42.7 cm/s(p=0.0001) and EDV11.7 cm/s vs 19.8 cm/s(p=0.002) with increased RI 0.63 vs 0.53(p=0.000) in  OA and PSV of 15.2 cm/s vs 21.4 cm/s(p=0.001) and EDV4.7 cm/s vs 11.7 cm/s(p=0.003) with increased RI 0.69 vs 0.45(p=0.000) in CRA in both eyes in POAG patients as compared to healthy controls.Conclusion: The study has shown the promising application of ocular Doppler in evaluating POAG patients. However, more such studies are needed with larger study sample and on follow up basis for better understanding glaucoma hemodynamics and applicability of ocular Doppler in management of glaucoma.
The role of platelet indices in ischemic heart disease: a hospital based case control type of study
Authors: Gandhi Priyanka S. , Gamit Bhavna N.
Published: August 2019

Background: In developing countries, Ischemic heart diseases (IHD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The underlying pathology of CAD is atherosclerosis. When this atherosclerotic plaque ruptures, platelets play a crucial role in the prothrombotic events and forms a thrombus on this plaque and as a result coronary artery gets occluded causing ischemia and infarction. Platelet contains many chemokines, cytokines and growth factors. Release of these factors along with interaction with endothelial cells and leukocytes promotes inflammation and progression of atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the association between platelet volume indices in patients with diagnosis of Ischemic heart disease in comparison with control group.Methods: By using automated cell counter platelet count and platelet volume indices - were compared with Normal healthy or non-cardiac chest pain patients with the use of unpaired t test.Results: In the present study, we demonstrated that platelet count is significantly low and MPV and PDW are significantly high in Ischemic heart disease as compared to patients with noncardiac chest pain or healthy subjects. The correlation of MPV with PC revealed an inverse correlation between the patients of IHD and healthy or non-cardiac chest pain patients which is statistically significant.Conclusions: The platelet volume indices are an important, simple, effortless and a cost-effective tool useful in predicting the development of an acute coronary event sometimes in the near future and therapeutic modification for improved patient’s cardiovascular care.
Fibroadenoma/benign phyllodes: a cytologic diagnostic challenge
Authors: Yadav Swati , Sethi Bhawna , Sangwaiya Ashok , Singh Pawan , Satarkar Rahul N. , Kalhan Shivani , Thakral Vibhuti
Published: August 2019

Background: To study and compare cytomorphological features of histologically proven cases of benign phyllodes and cellular fibroadenoma.Methods: Smears of histologically-proven cases of benign phyllodes and cellular fibroadenoma in one year, were reviewed. The cellular fibroadenoma had epithelial and/or stromal hypercellularity. The stromal and epithelial components as well as the background cells were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed.Results: Number, cellularity and type of stromal fragments varied significantly in two groups. Higher number, intermediate to large-sized and hypercellular stromal fragments were commonly seen in phyllodes. Hypercellular (3+ cellularity) fragments were seen in 100% cases of phyllodes against 11.1% cases of fibroadenoma. Large-sized stromal fragments were found in 100% of phyllodes while in only 11.1% cases of fibroadenoma. The ratio of number of epithelial to stromal fragments was significantly high (58.5:1) in fibroadenoma against phyllodes (1.3:1). The epithelial architecture, atypia, apocrine metaplasia and presence of cystic macrophages did not very much in the two groups. The cellularity of the dispersed cells in background did not reveal significant difference though the type of cells varied; the proportion of long and short spindle cells was higher in PT group while proportion of oval cells was higher in FA group.Conclusion: The number, cellularity and nature of stromal fragments, ratio of epithelial to stromal fragments, cellularity and type of background cells are helpful in distinguishing benign phyllodes from cellular fibroadenoma. The identification of these features can improve the pickup rate of phyllodes tumor, thereby assisting proper management.