Climate Change Vulnerability in Agriculture Sector: Indexing and Mapping of Four Southern Indian States

Agriculture is the sector most vulnerable to climate change due to its high dependence on climate and weather conditions. Climate change is a main challenge for agriculture, food security and rural livelihoods for millions of people in India. Among India’s population of more than one billion people, about 68% are directly or indirectly involved in the agricultural sector. This sector is particularly vulnerable to present-day climate variability. In this paper an attempt is made to map and analyze the vulnerability to climate change in different districts of four south Indian states: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. We have taken five sources of vulnerability indicators: socio-demographic, climatic, agricultural, occupational and common property resources vulnerabilities to compute the composite vulnerability index. The composite vulnerability index suggests that, Adilabad, Chamarajanagar, Thiruvarur and Kasaragod are the most vulnerable districts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively, whereas Hyderabad, Belgaum, Thoothukkudi, Kottayam are the least vulnerable districts

PMv Neuronal Firing May Be Driven by a Movement Command Trajectory within Multidimensional Gaussian Fields

The premotor cortex (PM) is known to be a site of visuo-somatosensory integration for the production of movement. We sought to better understand the ventral PM (PMv) by modeling its signal encoding in greater detail. Neuronal firing data was obtained from 110 PMv neurons in two male rhesus macaques executing four reach-grasp-manipulate tasks. We found that in the large majority of neurons (∼90%) the firing patterns across the four tasks could be explained by assuming that a high-dimensional position/configuration trajectory-like signal evolving ∼250 ms before movement was encoded within a multidimensional Gaussian field (MGF). Our findings are consistent with the possibility that PMv neurons process a visually specified reference command for the intended arm/hand position trajectory with respect to a proprioceptively or visually sensed initial configuration. The estimated MGF were (hyper) disc-like, such that each neuron's firing modulated strongly only with commands that evolved along a single direction within position/configuration space. Thus, many neurons appeared to be tuned to slices of this input signal space that as a collection appeared to well cover the space. The MGF encoding models appear to be consistent with the arm-referent, bell-shaped, visual target tuning curves and target selectivity patterns observed in PMV visual-motor neurons. These findings suggest that PMv may implement a lookup table-like mechanism that helps translate intended movement trajectory into time-varying patterns of activation in motor cortex and spinal cord. MGFs provide an improved nonlinear framework for potentially decoding visually specified, intended multijoint arm/hand trajectories well in advance of movement

Oral serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin improves duodenal immune reconstitution and absorption function in patients with HIV enteropathy.

ObjectivesTo examine the impact of serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin, an oral medical food known to neutralize bacterial antigen and reduce intestinal inflammation, on restoration of mucosal immunity and gastrointestinal function in individuals with HIV enteropathy.DesignOpen-label trial with intensive 8-week phase of bovine serum immunoglobulin (SBI) 2.5 g twice daily with a 4-week washout period and an optional 9-month extension study.MethodsHIV enteropathy was defined as chronic gastrointestinal symptoms including frequent loose or watery stools despite no identifiable, reversible cause. Upper endoscopy for tissue immunofluorescent antibody assay and disaccharide gut permeability/absorption studies were performed before and after 8 weeks of SBI to test mucosal immunity and gastrointestinal function. Blood was collected for markers of microbial translocation, inflammation, and collagen kinetics. A validated gastrointestinal questionnaire assessed changes in symptoms.ResultsAll eight participants experienced profound improvement in symptoms with reduced bowel movements/day (P = 0.008) and improvements in stool consistency (P = 0.008). Gut permeability was normal before and after the intervention, but D-xylose absorption increased in seven of eight participants. Mucosal CD4 lymphocyte densities increased by a median of 139.5 cells/mm2 from 213 to 322 cells/mm2 (P = 0.016). Intestinal-fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), a marker of enterocyte damage, initially rose in seven of eight participants after 8 weeks (P = 0.039), and then fell below baseline in four of five who continued receiving SBI (P = 0.12). Baseline serum I-FABP levels were negatively correlated with subsequent rise in mucosal CD4 lymphocyte densities (r = -0.74, P = 0.046).ConclusionSBI significantly increases intestinal mucosal CD4 lymphocyte counts, improves duodenal function, and showed evidence of promoting intestinal repair in the setting of HIV enteropathy

Image Inpainting and Enhancement using Fractional Order Variational Model

The intention of image inpainting is to complete or fill the corrupted or missing zones of an image by considering the knowledge from the source region. A novel fractional order variational image inpainting model in reference to Caputo definition is introduced in this article. First, the fractional differential, and its numerical methods are represented according to Caputo definition. Then, a fractional differential mask is represented in 8-directions. The complex diffusivity function is also defined to preserve the edges. Finally, the missing regions are filled by using variational model with fractional differentials of 8-directions. The simulation results and analysis display that the new model not only inpaints the missing regions, but also heightens the contrast of the image. The inpainted images have better visual quality than other fractional differential filters

Analysis of maternal mortality at a government teaching hospital GMKMCH, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India: a retrospective study

Background: Mother is the pillar of the family. Maternal death is a great loss to the baby, family, society and country. Pregnancy although being considered as a physiological state carries risk of serious maternal morbidity and mortality . This is due to various complications that may occur during pregnancy, labour or thereafter. Maternal mortality ratio is a very sensitive index that reflects the quality of healthcare provided by the community to the women population.Methods: A retrospective study of 204 maternal deaths over a period of 56 months from July 2013-february 2018. Demographic data were collected from maternal death review form and records. Data studied and analyzed.Results: During the study period, there were 33968 deliveries and 204 maternal deaths with a MMR of 600.5/1,00,000 live births. Eclampsia was the leading direct cause of death. Anemia was the leading indirect cause of death. Most of the women died within 24 hours of admission suggesting that majority of patients reached the tertiary care hospital quite late. Majority of deaths occurred in the age group of 20-30 years and in postpartum period.Conclusions: Most maternal deaths are preventable by optimal utilization of existing MCH facilities, identifying the bottleneck in health delivery system, early identification of high-risk pregnancy and therein timely referral to tertiary care centre

Analysis of Genetic Algorithm for Effective Power Delivery and with Best Upsurge

Wireless network is ready for hundreds or thousands of nodes, where each node is connected to one or sometimes more sensors. WSN sensor integrated circuits, embedded systems, networks, modems, wireless communication and dissemination of information. The sensor may be an obligation to technology and science. Recent developments underway to miniaturization and low power consumption. They act as a gateway, and prospective clients, I usually have the data on the server WSN. Other components separate routing network routers, called calculating and distributing routing tables. Discussed the routing of wireless energy balance. Optimization solutions, we have created a genetic algorithm. Before selecting an algorithm proposed for the construction of the center console. In this study, the algorithms proposed model simulated results based on "parameters depending dead nodes, the number of bits transmitted to a base station, where the number of units sent to the heads of fuel consumption compared to replay and show that the proposed algorithm has a network of a relative

MANASIKA VEGAS: THEIR CAUSES, EFFECTS AND PSYCHO SPIRITUAL TREATMENT

Manasika Vega is the intensification of Dharaniya Vega Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Mada, Matsarya, etc. This happens due to the intensification of Raga and Dvesha, which is triggered by the vitiation of Rajas and Tamas due to Asatmyaendriyartha Samyoga, Prajnaparadha and Parinama. When Raga and Dvesha get intensified, it leads to strengthening of desires, which in turn leads to a series of associated emotions of anger, fear, greed, delusion, etc. Scriptures identify Manasika Vega as a disease in themselves because they affect the functioning and health of the mind when left unchecked and divert the mind from the purpose of life which is the pursuit of the fourfold goals of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. As a result, they cause an imbalance in the three legs of life body, mind and soul, leading to physiological diseases, psychological diseases and Vasanas, that are the impressions from previous births which affects health as well. Therefore, Ayurvedic and Allied Scriptures recommend addressing the root cause, controlling the senses, cleaning the mind and the intellect through lifestyle modification, diet and psycho spiritual practices. These practices are listed in several different scriptures at philosophical and practical levels and need regular practice to have an effect. With regular practice aimed at restoring Sattva, the third Guna that is considered the purest, Rajas and Tamas can be destroyed, leading to detachment to sensorial pleasures and a steady, well-regulated and healthy mind

PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTY OF SMALL PEPTIDES ISOLATED FROM THE FLOWERS OF MILLINGTONIA HORTENSIS

Objective: The flowers of Millingtonia hortensis were initially screened for the presence of Cu (II) ninhydrin-positive compounds. Purification and characterization of small alpha peptides from the flowers of M. hortensis have been done. Further elucidation of the antimicrobial properties of these small peptides is also taken as part of the work.Methods: Using 80% aqueous ethanol the crude extract was prepared and screening was carried out by a circular paper chromatographic technique. Purification and characterization of small alpha peptides from the flowers of M. hortensis have been done. Further elucidation of the antimicrobial properties of these small peptides by disc diffusion method is also taken as part of the work.Results: Based on the findings of UV–visible spectrophotometer, it is confirmed that the purified compound is a small peptide and might contain glycine, cysteine, and tyrosine or histidine. The result of antimicrobial studies proves the ability of small peptides to function as antimicrobial peptides.Conclusion: It is concluded that the small peptides show an inhibitory effect against various Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria

ANTI-ARTHRITIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF ORMOCARPUM SENNOIDES

Objective: The study focuses on evaluating the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of ethanolic extract of Ormocarpum sennoides (Os), a herb belonging to the family fabaceae. Both in vitro and in vivo methods were employed to study the anti-inflammatory activity of Os extract.Methods: The in vitro analysis of Os extract was performed by HRBC membrane stabilization and protein denaturation methods. The in vivo analysis was done by Formalin-induced paw edema and acetic acid induced writhing test using wistar male albino rats as an animal model.Results: The in vitro analysis revealed the inhibition of hemolysis and protein denaturation in a dose-dependent manner in concentrations ranging from 50-500 µg/ml. The in vivo study showed that Os extract reduced the number of paw lickings and abdominal writhing significantly at dosage concentrations of 200 mg/kg body weight and 300 mg/kg body weight compared with standard diclofenac sodium (p<0.05).Conclusion: These results support the application of Os extract in ailing arthritis and treatment of painful inflammatory conditions.Keywords: Anti-inflammatory activity, Anti-arthritic activity, Ormocarpum sennoides, Rheumatoid arthriti

Robust Security for Health Information by ECC with Signature Hash Function in WBAN

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) are fundamental technology in health care that permits the information of a patient’s essential body parameters to be gathered by the sensors. However, the safety and concealment defense of the gathered information is a key uncertain problem. A Hybrid Key Management (HKM) scheme [13] is worked based on Public Key Cryptography (PKC)-authentication scheme. This scheme uses a oneway hash function to construct a Merkle Tree. The PKC method increase the computational complexity and lacking scalability. Additionally, it increases expensive computation, communication costs and delay. To overcome this problem, Robust Security for Protected Health Information by ECC with signature Hash Function in WBAN (RSP) is proposed. The system employs hash-chain based key signature technique to achieve efficient, secure transmission from sensor to user in WBAN. Moreover, Elliptical Curve Cryptography algorithm is used to verifies the authenticate sensor. In addition, it describes the experimental results of the proposed system demonstrate the efficient data communication in a network