Collision avoidance based on line of sight angle

Autonomous robots have gained a wide acceptance in our society in last few decades. With the advancement in technology, their presence in every sphere of life is rapidly increasing. Despite all the advancements, there is still a huge scope of improvement in many areas of robotics. Collision avoidance is one such problem which, despite a lot advancements, is far from being completely solved. Most of the available collision avoidance schemes require very expensive sensors to acquire data. Collision avoidance problem can be subdivided into three parts namely- Sensing, Detection and avoidance. In this thesis, an algorithm pertaining to avoidance problem will be discussed. The objective of this thesis is to design a scheme which does not rely on sophisticated and expensive sensors. A novel collision avoidance scheme, which is solely based on line of sight angle, will be discussed. The line of sight angle can be obtained using an on-board camera and inertial measurement unit. Theoretical guarantees such as stability will be established using Lyapunov analysis. This will be followed by a discussion on simulation results. The design and architecture of the differential drive robot developed to implement this algorithm will be presented as well. And finally, some results from implementation of this algorithm on the robot will be discussed

Co-benefits of urban climate action: a framework for cities

Why do climate co-benefits matter for cities? • The evidence suggests that citizens are more likely to take action on climate change, or more likely to support governments that take action on climate change, if the wider co-benefits of those actions are emphasised. • At the same time, policies that are aimed at supporting innovation, delivering economic benefits and enhancing the quality of life of citizens can potentially lead to major climate cobenefits (e.g. reduced greenhouse gas emissions) which would be more challenging to achieve if climate action were the primary objective. • At the city level, the potential of co-benefits is particularly great as citizens can often witness the results of policy actions more directly on their daily lives. Definition and taxonomy of co-benefits • The term co-benefits has a wide range of definitions in the climate literature, with over 20 terms identified in the literature that are used synonymously or in a similar context. • The term co-benefits varies in intentionality (e.g. is climate the primary or secondary objective, or simply an unintentional benefit?), scope (e.g. does it include mitigation benefits, adaptation benefits or both?), and scale (e.g. are the benefits short term and local, or long term and global?). • Co-benefits may be (1) secondary benefits from climate policy action, (2) secondary climate benefits from other policy actions, or (3) the combination of climate and non-climate benefits; both of which are targeted under an integrated policy programme. • The wide range of established definitions of co-benefits used by authoritative organisations means that formulating a taxonomy of co-benefits with broad buy-in from policy makers is challenging. Results of literature review • Health, Land Use and Transport were the top three sectors for the number of co-benefits, with over 40 co-benefits identified in each. • Waste, Air Quality, Transport and Energy had particularly high numbers of mitigation cobenefits in the literature reviewed. Adaptation co-benefits were particularly strong for Disaster and Emergency, Food Security and Tourism, Culture and Sport. Land Use, Health, Water and Education tended to be strong for both mitigation and adaptation co-benefits

Carcinogen tainted generic drugs: a matter of concern

The burden of non-communicable diseases is progressively on a rise across the globe with India contributing to a substantial quantum. Nearly 63% of total deaths in India are due to non-communicable diseases, of which 27% are due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). High blood pressure is among the most important risk factors for CVDs. Data (from 1950 to 2014) on hypertension in the Indian populace, revealed a high overall prevalence of 29.8% (95% CI 26.7-33.0), showing a constant rise and a marked increase in urban (33.8%) population than in rural (27.6%),

COVID-19 impact on the prevalence of PIMS in elderly patients according to STOPP/ START criteria: a record base study

Background: Polypharmacy, contribute to an increased risk of adverse drug reaction morbidity, and mortality, and increases the length of hospital stay, hospital revisits and readmissions. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and trends of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications in elderly patients with version 2. STOPP/START criteria, and assess the severity of adverse drug events in patients with PIMs.Methods: This is a retrospective, record-based study of over-the-counter, and potentially inappropriate medications in the prescriptions of patients (>60 years). PIMs have been identified and further investigated to determine any adverse effects. If harm occurred, the severity of an adverse effect was rated using a modified Hartwig and Siegel scale. The causality of the events was assessed by using Naranjo's scale.Results: Out of 583 patients polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were found in 36.0%, and 42.8% of pre-admission medications. The most common over-the-counter (OTC) drugs were hydrocortisone (39.86%), ranitidine (21.62%), bisacodyl (14.86%), and diphenhydramine (12.84%). A statistically significant positive correlation was seen between age and the number of drugs prescribed (r2=0.16), while a non-significant positive correlation was found between sex, length of stay (LOS), and the number of drugs prescribed (r2 =0.0002, r2 =0.001). Common PIMs related incidence reported include Insulin (regular) 31.25% (N=20), Trihexyphenidyl (THP) 18.75%, zolpidem 12.5%, acetylsalicylic acid 9.3%, pantoprazole 52 7.81%, furosemide 7.8%, hydrocortisone 6.25%, and glimepiride 6.25%. Total of 130 ADRs 50% were mild, 28.4% were moderate, and 21.5% were severe. Out of 130 incidents, 64.6% were preventable, 22.3% were probably preventable, and 13.0% were not preventable. A total of 50.0% recovered completely from the ADRs, 33.0% had been recovering, 12.3% recovered with a squeal, 2.3% could not recover and 2.3% had been fatal.Conclusions: The study shows high uses of OTC and PIMs and PGx in elderly patients; which encourage intent need to develop awareness and action plans

Impact of coronavirus disease pandemic on antimicrobials consumption and antimicrobial resistance during the first and second wave in a tertiary care hospital, in India

Background: This study measured the impact of the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic (in the year 2020-21) on the antibiotics uses and their effect on gram nehative bacterial species Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter. Methods: The number of patient admission month-wise, antibiotic consumption, blood cultures collected, number of positive BCs, and antibiotic resistance were analysed retrospectively for the years 2020, 2021, and 2019 for comparison, in tertiary care hospital (ca. 840 beds). Results: Half of patients admitted in years 2020 and 2021 in our hospital had COVID-19. A significant increase in total antibiotic consumption during the years 2020 (75.53 DDD per 100 admissions) and 2021 (91.71 DDD per 100 admissions) occurred in comparison to the year 2019 (52.5 DDD per 100 admissions). The rate ratio of BCs per 100 admissions increased by 74% in the year 2020, and 118% in the year 2021 in comparison with the rate ratio to the year 2019. The BSI rate per 100 admissions increased overall by 24% in March 2020 and 115% in April 2020, the rate ratio of BSIs per 100 admissions raised 58.4% for Klebsiella and 239.3% for E. coli, but remain the same for Acinetobacter and Aeruginosa. A sharp increase in the rate of BSIs caused by microorganisms resistant to cephalosporins was also observed in the years 2020 and 2021. Conclusions: present study highlights the impact of the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic consumption and the increasing prevalence hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance

COVID-19 encephalopathy, presenting with Broca’s aphasia mimicking stroke

Neurological manifestations are emerging as relatively frequent complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including stroke and encephalopathy. Here we reporting a case of a young male presented with acute aphasia at the emergency department. The patient has a positive history of upper respiratory tract symptoms, subjective fever, and myalgias, a week before for which he was tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) based on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on a nasopharyngeal swab. An electroencephalogram (EEG) demonstrated interictal epileptiform abnormalities over the left posterior frontal lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) axial T2- weighted image shows focal area of altered intensity appearing hyperintense involving the left frontotemporal lobes pre-dominantly the pre-central gyrus. A subtle restriction on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), with a minimal drop on apparent diffusion coefficient images. In contrast, it shows gyriform enhancement with suspicious adjacent meningeal thickening and enhancement. Cerebrospinal fluid was negative for antibody. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) 400 mg/kg was given for 5 days. The patient responded well to the therapy without any major clinical side effects and revealed complete resolution after 2 months.

Trend analysis of antibiotics consumption using WHO AWaRe classification in tertiary care hospital

Background: Aim of the study was to assess trend in antibiotics consumption pattern from 2016 to 2019 using AWaRe classification, ATC and Defined daily dose methodology (DDD) in a tertiary care hospital. Antibiotics are crucial for treating infectious diseases and have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with infectious diseases, reducing morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study is to classify the antibiotic based on WHO AWaRe classification and compare their four-year consumption trends. The study was conducted at a tertiary care center, Pilakhuwa, Hapur. Antibiotic procurement data for a period of 4 years (2016-2019) was collected from the Central medical store.Methods: This is a retrospective time series analysis of systemic antibiotics with no intervention at patient level. Antibiotic procurement was taken as proxy for consumption assuming that same has been used.  ATC for systemic use (ATC code J01) antibacterial was used and defined daily dose (DDD) per 100 bed days was calculated. Antibiotics were further classified as Access, Watch, and Reserve (WHO AWaRe classification).  Antibiotics consumption was ranked based on their volume of DDD i.e., drug utilization (DU90%) was calculated. Non-parametric Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used for the comparison of consumption.Results: Mean antibiotic procurement increased 1.25 folds from 140.3 DDD in 2016 to 201 DDD in 2018. A significant fall was seen in total DDDs in year 2019 (p value <0.05). A total of 41 antibiotics agents (Access 12, Watch 21, Reserve 6 and Not recommended 2) were procured. Reserve category antibiotics were procured from 2017 onwards. Out of 41 antibiotics procured 11 antibiotics (Access 3 and watch 8) accounted for DU 90%.Conclusions: Antibiotics consumption of watch group was high and increasing antibiotic consumption trend was observed. Hospital antimicrobial stewardship program should be implemented to shift to use of Access group antibiotics and restrict use of Watch antibiotics

Mephentermine abuse of prescription drugs in gym

A case report of 32 years old male presented to the drug addiction OPD and treatment center for the withdrawal symptoms of mephentermine.  Mephentermine a synthetic derivative of amphetamines with cardiac stimulatory action is been misused for boast of endurance in bodybuilders. Abuse of mephentermine result in psychosis, cardiovascular disorder and development of tolerance and dependence over time. Given its potential of causing harm, the abuse and dependence liability of mephentermine needs to be highlighted to gym instructors and general public

Cefixime induce non convulsive status epileptics: a neurotoxic effect

Nonconvulsive status epileptics comprises a group of syndromes that display a great diversity regarding response to anticonvulsants ranging from virtually self-limiting variants to entirely refractory forms cephalosporins are thought to provoke seizure through inhibitory effects on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission and GABA receptors. Interference with GABA transmission result in pre-disposition towards excitatory neurotransmission, which can leads to seizures. Antibiotics can alter the serum concentration of anti-epileptic, resulting in seizures and anti-epileptic drugs toxicity

Cyproheptadine adverse drug interaction with anti-epileptic drugs

Cyproheptadine is a H1 and 5- HT1/2 receptor antagonists, impairing the anticonvulsant activity of antiepileptic drugs and reduces threshold, increases severity of seizures, when administered chronically. Anuj a 13 years old male from Delhi, known case of SSPE stage-III with epilepsy, on oral anti-epileptic drug has seizure induction followed the use of oral cyproheptadine. Stopping cyproheptadine, patient didn’t sustain any further seizures