An Energy Aware Unequal Clustering Algorithm using Fuzzy Logic for Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, clustering provides an effective way of organising the sensor nodes to achieve load balancing and increasing the lifetime of the network. Unequal clustering is an extension of common clustering that exhibits even better load balancing. Most existing approaches do not consider node density when clustering, which can pose significant problems. In this paper, a fuzzy-logic based cluster head selection approach is proposed, which considers the residual energy, centrality and density of the nodes. In addition, a fuzzy-logic based clustering range assignment approach is used, which considers the suitability and the position of the nodes in assigning the clustering range. Furthermore, a weight function is used to optimize the selection of the relay nodes. The proposed approach was compared with a number of well known approaches by simulation. The results showed that the proposed approach performs better than the other algorithms in terms of lifetime and other metrics

BIOEQUIVALENCE STUDY OF AZELNIDIPINE 16 MG TABLET TO EVALUATE PHARMACOKINETIC PROFILE OF SINGLE DOSE IN HEALTHY, ADULT, HUMAN VOLUNTEERS UNDER FASTING CONDITION

Objective: The present study's objective is to conduct a comparative bioavailability study with a special emphasis on the test product's bioequivalence using a standard reference product as a comparator. Methods: Before initiating the bioequivalence study, the plasma sample analysis method was developed and validated by using LC-MS/MS method. The entire study was conducted as a single-dose crossover randomized bioequivalence study with open-label, two treatment, two-period, and two sequences on 24 healthy volunteers under fasting condition. With proper informed consent process the oral dose of the Reference product (R) or Test product (T) was administered on healthy volunteers at 0 h during each period of the study. After the drug's oral administration, a certain quantity of blood sample was collected, and the plasma sample was separated using a cold centrifuge. The plasma samples were analysed by using the validated LC-MS/MS method. The pharmacokinetic parameters, statistical data and ANOVA of the test and reference product were evaluated. Results: The Cmax, Auc0-t, AUC0-∞ and tmax of the test product were found to be 6.29 ng/ml, 117.0 ng. h/ml, 161.67 ng. h/ml and 3.33 h. respectively. And the Cmax, Auc0-t, AUC0-∞ and tmax of reference product were found 6.59 ng/ml, 123.21 ng. h./ml, 172.20 ng. h/ml and 3.38 h respectively. Relative bioavailability was found 94.96%. The overall results show that the 90% confidence intervals (Log-Transformed and Untransformed) for Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ for Azelnidipine were within the acceptable limit of 80%-125%. Conclusion: The entire study's conclusion can be drawn as the test product was bioequivalence with the reference product's comparator

Phytochemical profiling, antioxidant capacities and anthocyanin compositions of the pigmented rice (Oryza sativa) of north-east India

The association between the consumption of pigmented rice (Oryza sativa L.) and the improvement of human health is generating a great deal of interest among the researchers. An experiment was conducted during 2020 and 2021 at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam to study the phytochemical profiling, antioxidant capacities and anthocyanin compositions of the 14 pigmented rice genotypes. The results were compared with the well-known traditional pigmented rice variety from Manipur, Poreiton Chakhao. The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and total anthocyanin content ranged from 37.101 to 493.611 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, 53.316 to 151.667 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g and 1.006 to 13.904 mg cyanidin-3-chloride equivalent/100 g in the studied rice genotypes. The amount of rice showing 50% DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC 50 value) ranged from 6.610 to 29.376 mg. The HPLC analysis revealed presence of both cyanidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside in the black pigmented rice genotypes, viz. TTB Black Rice 7, Chakhao-1, Chakhao-2 and TTB Black Rice 11. However, in the red rice genotypes analysed (Balam and Nepali Chakuwa), these two anthocyanins were not detected

Operative outcome of high energy pilon fractures: a retrospective comparison between internal fixation and Ilizarov external fixation

Background: Pilon fractures are serious injuries with many devastating soft-tissue complications associated with them. Deciding a definite treatment plan has always proved a challenge. Comparative studies between the various surgical techniques used for pilon fractures are uncommon and consensus is yet to be reached regarding the best surgical option. Purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare the operative results (complications, functional and radiographic outcomes) of pilon fractures treated either with internal fixation or Ilizarov ring fixators.Methods: Forty-six patients with pilon fractures were retrospectively studied; twenty-one of them had minimal invasive fixation by ankle spanning Ilizarov fixators and 25 patients had internal fixations by either minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) or by open reduction.  The patients were followed-up for a mean of 34 months (range, 24-51 months).Results: The internal fixation group had a higher incidence of soft-tissue complications and deep infections. In comparison the Ilizarov group had only superficial pin-tract infections but no other soft-tissue complications. Although the Ilizarov group had a higher incidence of malreduction and malunion in their series compared to the internal fixation group, there was no significant difference in the AOFAS ankle function score (p-value 0.2922) between the two groups after a follow-up of 2-4 years.Conclusions: The moderately long term functional outcome appears to be similar in both internal fixation and Ilizarov groups. But the Ilizarov technique is less likely to cause any serious peri-operative soft-tissue complications or deep infection. Familiarity of the surgeon with a particular technique should also be considered during surgical decision making.

DETERMINATION OF METFORMIN AND SITAGLIPTIN IN HEALTHY HUMAN VOLUNTEERS' BLOOD PLASMA AND ITS BIOEQUIVALENCE STUDY UNDER FASTING CONDITION

Objective: Metformin hydrochloride and sitagliptin are the oral anti-hyperglycemic medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and are used in combination to treat patients. In this work, we have developed a bioanalytical method for simultaneous estimation of both the drugs form some formulation and subsequently the validation of the developed method metformin and sitagliptin in human plasma. Methods: The stability studies were done as per USFDA and EMA guidelines. The sample extraction approach presented here was a straightforward liquid extraction. The linearity range of metformin was 11.72 ng/ml to 3000 ng/ml, and sitagliptin was 4.68 ng/ml. to 1200 ng/ml. For metformin, the LOD was 1.0 ng/ml, and LLOQ was 11.72 ng/ml. and for sitagliptin, the LOD was 0.75 ng/ml, and LLOQ was 4.68 ng/ml. LC-ESI-MS/MS was used to develop and validate this method using the Phenomenex Kinetex C18 column. Milli-Q water containing 10 mmol Ammonium Acetate (pH =3.6) and Acetonitrile containing 0.1% Formic Acid (pH =2.4) as solvent systems for the estimation of Sitagliptin in a single dose. Metoprolol is used as an Internal Standard. Results: The total chromatographic run time was only 7.0 min, and the elute time of metformin and sitagliptin was 3.94 min and 3.97 min, respectively. Relative Bioavailability was found at 101.14% for Metformin and 96.96% for Sitagliptin. The overall results show that the Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ for metformin and sitagliptin were within the acceptable limit of 80%-125%. Conclusion: This bioanalytical method was successfully applied in the bioequivalence study. The study design was a randomized, open-label, two treatment, two-period, two sequences, single-dose, crossover bioequivalence study under fasting conditions

Genetic population structure of the malaria vector Anopheles baimaii in north-east India using mitochondrial DNA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Anopheles baimaii </it>is a primary vector of human malaria in the forest settings of Southeast Asia including the north-eastern region of India. Here, the genetic population structure and the basic population genetic parameters of <it>An. baimaii </it>in north-east India were estimated using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase sub unit II (COII) gene.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>Anopheles baimaii </it>were collected from 26 geo-referenced locations across the seven north-east Indian states and the COII gene was sequenced from 176 individuals across these sites. Fifty-seven COII sequences of <it>An. baimaii </it>from six locations in Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand from a previous study were added to this dataset. Altogether, 233 sequences were grouped into eight population groups, to facilitate analyses of genetic diversity, population structure and population history.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A star-shaped median joining haplotype network, unimodal mismatch distribution and significantly negative neutrality tests indicated population expansion in <it>An. baimaii </it>with the start of expansion estimated to be ~0.243 million years before present (MYBP) in north-east India. The populations of <it>An. baimaii </it>from north-east India had the highest haplotype and nucleotide diversity with all other populations having a subset of this diversity, likely as the result of range expansion from north-east India. The north-east Indian populations were genetically distinct from those in Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand, indicating that mountains, such as the Arakan mountain range between north-east India and Myanmar, are a significant barrier to gene flow. Within north-east India, there was no genetic differentiation among populations with the exception of the Central 2 population in the Barail hills area that was significantly differentiated from other populations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The high genetic distinctiveness of the Central 2 population in the Barail hills area of the north-east India should be confirmed and its epidemiological significance further investigated. The lack of genetic population structure in the other north-east Indian populations likely reflects large population sizes of <it>An. baimaii </it>that, historically, were able to disperse through continuous forest habitats in the north-east India. Additional markers and analytical approaches are required to determine if recent deforestation is now preventing ongoing gene flow. Until such information is acquired, <it>An. baimaii </it>in north-east India should be treated as a single unit for the implementation of vector control measures.</p

CuI nanoparticle-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of 3-nitro-2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines using oxygen as oxidant

A mild, efficient and stable copper iodide nanoparticle (CuI NP)-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of 3-nitro-2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was developed. Substituted 2-amino pyridines successfully reacted with both electron-rich and electron-deficient beta-nitro styrenes to produce the desired products in good to excellent yields. Hot filtration tests confirmed the heterogeneous nature of the CuI NPs. The nanocatalyst showed good reusability up to three consecutive cycles without any significant loss in its activity and product yield, confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis. Use of molecular oxygen as oxidant is advantageous from an economic and environmental point of view

An investigation on the structural and optical properties of mercaptosuccinic acid capped cadmium telluride quantum dots

Abstract In this work, a sonication induced modified wet chemical approach is adopted to synthesize highly luminescent and water soluble cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs). The morphology, size, crystal structural, and optical properties of CdTe QDs are investigated for different refluxing time (1–4 h). The refluxing time-dependent optical constants viz. band gap energy and Urbach energy of the QDs are estimated from UV–Visible absorption spectra. The optical band gap energy decreased from ~ 2.12 to 1.92 eV and the Urbach energy increased from ~ 361 to 487 meV, with the increase in refluxing time. CdTe QDs are found to be uniform in size. The average size of the QDs estimated from the High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope image analysis is about 5.8 and 8.2 nm for refluxing times 1 and 4 h, respectively. The growth mechanism of the QDs as a function of refluxing time has also been discussed. The fluorescence spectra of the QDs, revealed emission peaks having wavelength from ~ 534 to 585 nm, under the excitation wavelength of 320 nm. The fluorescence emission peaks showed a bathochromic shift with increasing refluxing time. CdTe QDs also exhibit excitation-dependent fluorescence behaviour. Two crystalline phases of the CdTe QDs, namely hexagonal and cubic are confirmed from the High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope images and Selected Area Electron Diffraction patterns analysis. The phase transformation from hexagonal to cubic is successfully achieved by tuning the refluxing time from 1 to 4 h