Machine learning to improve the understanding of rabies epidemiology in low surveillance settings.

In low and middle-income countries, a large proportion of animal rabies investigations end without a conclusive diagnosis leading to epidemiologic interpretations informed by clinical, rather than laboratory data. We compared Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) with Logistic Regression (LR) for their ability to estimate the probability of rabies in animals investigated as part of an Integrated Bite Case Management program (IBCM). To balance our training data, we used Random Oversampling (ROS) and Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique.

Comparative transcriptome of normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Background: The characteristics of a tumor are largely determined by its interaction with the surrounding micro-environment (TME). TME consists of both cellular and non-cellular components. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the TME.

Gene expression signature of castrate resistant prostate cancer.

Prostate gland is a highly androgen dependent gland and hence the first line of treatment for metastatic prostate cancer happens to be androgen ablation. This is achieved by multiple non-surgical methods. However, most of these cancers although respond well initially, become resistant to androgen ablation sooner or later.

Mechanical and Wear Studies of Boron Nitride-Reinforced Polymer Composites Developed via 3D Printing Technology.

In the realm of 3D printing, polymers serve as fundamental materials offering versatility to cater to a diverse array of final product properties and tailored to the specific needs of the creator. Polymers, as the building blocks of 3D printing, inherently possess certain mechanical and wear properties that may fall short of ideal. To address this limitation, the practice of reinforcing polymer matrices with suitable materials has become a common approach.

Predicting Kyasanur forest disease in resource-limited settings using event-based surveillance and transfer learning.

In recent years, the reports of Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) breaking endemic barriers by spreading to new regions and crossing state boundaries is alarming. Effective disease surveillance and reporting systems are lacking for this emerging zoonosis, hence hindering control and prevention efforts. We compared time-series models using weather data with and without Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) information, i.

Effect of plasma sprayed flyash based composite coatings on corrosion resistance.

With the aim of exploring the possibility of achieving a low-cost thermal spray coating to prevent wear, erosion and corrosion. In the current study, flyash-AlO and flyash-SiC composite coatings were effectively created using the air plasma spray process on substrates of Al6061 alloy. NiCr material is used as the bond coat to improve the bond strength between the coat and the substrate.

Challenges and gender-based differences for women in the Indian urological workforce: Results of a survey.

Introduction: Entry of women into urology has not kept pace with that in other surgical branches with only 1% of Urological Society of India (USI) members being female. The objective of this study was to explore the personal and professional challenges, practice barriers, and level of satisfaction among female urologists/urology trainees in India.

Methods: A strictly confidential and anonymous 26-item questionnaire with respect to professional and personal challenges, workplace discrimination, and family satisfaction was circulated as a Google form through email and WhatsApp to all the female members of the USI (full and associate) and trainees ( = 48) based on identification from the USI directory.

Predicting infectious disease for biopreparedness and response: A systematic review of machine learning and deep learning approaches.

The complex, unpredictable nature of pathogen occurrence has required substantial efforts to accurately predict infectious diseases (IDs). With rising popularity of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques combined with their unique ability to uncover connections between large amounts of diverse data, we conducted a PRISMA systematic review to investigate advances in ID prediction for human and animal diseases using ML and DL. This review included the type of IDs modeled, ML and DL techniques utilized, geographical distribution, prediction tasks performed, input features utilized, spatial and temporal scales, error metrics used, computational efficiency, uncertainty quantification, and missing data handling methods.

Urodynamic profile of lower urinary tract symptoms in young men: A testimony of the truth?

Aim: To evaluate the impact of urodynamic study (UDS) in the management of young men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs).

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study of urodynamic findings of 128 patients presented with LUTS at the Department of Urology, Institute of Nephrourology, Bangalore, over a period of 5 years (August 2014 to July 2019). Pre- and post-UDS diagnoses as well as treatment modalities were compared to evaluate the usefulness of UDS.

Evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of three diagnostic tests for Coxiella burnetii infection in cattle and buffaloes in Punjab (India) using Bayesian latent class analysis.

Q Fever is a zoonotic disease of significant animal and public health concern, caused by Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), an obligate intracellular bacterium. This study was done to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) and diagnostic specificity (DSp) of three diagnostic methods to diagnose C.

Is simple nephrectomy the right nomenclature? - Comparing simple and radical nephrectomy to find the answer.

Introduction: The word "simple" means "easily done" or "presenting no difficulty." Hence, the "Simple Nephrectomy" (SN) operation should be "easy to perform." However, in clinical practice, we have noticed that SN can be equally or more challenging surgery than radical nephrectomy (RN).

A Comparison of Infectious Disease Forecasting Methods across Locations, Diseases, and Time.

Accurate infectious disease forecasting can inform efforts to prevent outbreaks and mitigate adverse impacts. This study compares the performance of statistical, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) approaches in forecasting infectious disease incidences across different countries and time intervals. We forecasted three diverse diseases: campylobacteriosis, typhoid, and Q-fever, using a wide variety of features (n = 46) from public datasets, e.

Analysis of the Effect of Parameters on Fracture Toughness of Hemp Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Composites Using the ANOVA Method.

In today's world, global warming has become a concern. To overcome this, we need to reduce the carbon footprints caused by the production of materials. Much of the time, this is equivalent to the same amount of CO emissions per tonne of production.

Mechanical Properties of PC-ABS-Based Graphene-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites Fabricated by FDM Process.

This experimental study investigates the mechanical properties of polymer matrix composites containing nanofiller developed by fused deposition modelling (FDM). A novel polymer nanocomposite was developed by amalgamating polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS) by blending with graphene nanoparticles in the following proportions: 0.2, 0.

Influence of Solid Lubricant Addition on Friction and Wear Response of 3D Printed Polymer Composites.

In this study, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and graphite powder-a solid lubricant-were filled and characterized for friction and wear responses. The fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique was utilized to synthesize ABS-graphite composites. A twin-screw extrusion approach was employed to create the composite filament of graphite-ABS that is suitable for the FDM process.

A comparative study of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery for solitary renal stone of 1-2 cm.

Background: PCNL is the treatment of choice for renal stones. But wide array of complications due to larger tract size(>20 Fr) has lead to development of improved techniques like miniPCNL(<20 Fr) and RIRS(Retrograde intrarenal surgery).

Aim And Objective: To perform a study comparing miniPCNL with RIRS for renal stones 1-2 cm with respect to stone free rate , complications and quality of life.

Digital Biosurveillance for Zoonotic Disease Detection in Kenya.

Infectious disease surveillance is crucial for early detection and situational awareness of disease outbreaks. Digital biosurveillance monitors large volumes of open-source data to flag potential health threats. This study investigates the potential of digital surveillance in the detection of the top five priority zoonotic diseases in Kenya: Rift Valley fever (RVF), anthrax, rabies, brucellosis, and trypanosomiasis.

Emergence of additive manufacturing in global scale during the crisis of 2019-nCoV (novel corona virus).

The global pandemic COVID-19 has emerged as a bane for the human race. The emergence of this disease was initially noted in Wuhan, China and slowly spreading to large number of countries. The greater number of positive cases and increasing mortality rate clubbed with no prescribed medication to cure has led to greater impact on global society and has badly hit the manufacturing sector.

Identification of risk factors associated with Coxiella burnetii infection in cattle and buffaloes in India.

The etiological agent Coxiella burnetii is a highly infectious gram-negative bacterium that can affect multiple species. Many reports confirm its presence in humans, domestic ruminants and rodents in India. This study was aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with C.

Bilateral retrograde pyelography leading to anuria.

Retrograde pyelography (RGP) is done to evaluate the collecting system when intravenous contrast studies are contraindicated due to renal insufficiency or prior adverse reactions. We report a patient who developed acute renal shutdown following bilateral RGP in the same sitting done for evaluation of positive malignant cytology of urine. A 65-year-old man on treatment for left stroke and hypertension, with a baseline serum creatinine of 1.

Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in cattle and buffalo populations in Punjab, India.

Q fever is an important zoonosis of animal and public health significance but there is very limited information about its prevalence in the Punjab state of India. The current study was designed to estimate Q fever prevalence in cattle and buffalo populations of the state. We randomly selected 22 villages, one from each of the 22 districts of Punjab.

Outcomes of second-look percutaneous nephrolithotomy in renal calculi-a single centre experience.

Objective: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) carries significant potential for morbidity. Scant data exists on indications and outcomes of second-look PCNL after a failure to completely clear renal stones at the first attempt. We present our experience with second-look PCNL.

Urodynamic profile in posterior urethral valve patients following fulguration: Does age at fulguration matter?

Introduction: Children with posterior urethral valve (PUV) may develop urinary bladder (UB) dysfunction even after valve fulguration (VF). Using Urodynamics (UDS), we sought to identify whether age at VF and time elapsed since VF contributed to UB dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2009 and July 2016, 39 PUV patients referred to a tertiary care center for UDS were classified into Groups A and B (based on age if <2 or ≥2 years at VF) and subclassified into Group A1/A2 and B1/B2 depending on time duration after VF (TVU).