Semantics Centric Solutions for Application and Data Portability in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has become one of the key considerations both in academia and industry. Cheap, seemingly unlimited computing resources that can be allocated almost instantaneously and pay-as-you-go pricing schemes are some of the reasons for the success of Cloud computing. The Cloud computing landscape, however, is plagued by many issues hindering adoption. One such issue is vendor lock-in, forcing the Cloud users to adhere to one service provider in terms of data and application logic. Semantic Web has been an important research area that has seen significant attention from both academic and industrial researchers. One key property of Semantic Web is the notion of interoperability and portability through high level models. Significant work has been done in the areas of data modeling, matching, and transformations. The issues the Cloud computing community is facing now with respect to portability of data and application logic are exactly the same issue the Semantic Web community has been trying to address for some time. In this paper we present an outline of the use of well established semantic technologies to overcome the vendor lock-in issues in Cloud computing. We present a semantics-centric programming paradigm to create portable Cloud applications and discuss MobiCloud, our early attempt to implement the proposed approach

A Study in Hadoop Streaming with Matlab for NMR Data Processing

Applying Cloud computing techniques for analyzing large data sets has shown promise in many data-driven scientific applications. Our approach presented here is to use Cloud computing for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)data analysis which normally consists of large amounts of data. Biologists often use third party or commercial software for ease of use. Enabling the capability to use this kind of software in a Cloud will be highly advantageous in many ways. Scripting languages especially designed for clouds may not have the flexibility biologists need for their purposes. Although this is true, they are familiar with special software packages that allow them to write complex calculations with minimum effort, but are often not compatible with a Cloud environment. Therefore, biologists who are trying to perform analysis on NMR data, acquire many advantages due to our proposed solution. Our solution gives them the flexibility to Cloud-enable their familiar software and it also enables them to perform calculations on a significant amount of data that was not previously possible. Our study is also applicable to any other environment in need of similar flexibility. We are currently in the initial stage of developing a framework for NMR data analysis

Power of Clouds In Your Pocket: An Efficient Approach for Cloud Mobile Hybrid Application Development

The advancements in computing have resulted in a boom of cheap, ubiquitous, connected mobile devices as well as seemingly unlimited, utility style, pay as you go computing resources, commonly referred to as Cloud computing. However, taking full advantage of this mobile and cloud computing landscape, especially for the data intensive domains has been hampered by the many heterogeneities that exist in the mobile space as well as the Cloud space. Our research focuses on exploiting the capabilities of the mobile and cloud landscape by defining a new class of applications called cloud mobile hybrid (CMH) applications and a Domain Specific Language (DSL) based methodology to develop these applications. We define Cloud-mobile hybrid as a collective application that has a Cloud based back-end and a mobile device front-end. Using a single DSL script, our toolkit is capable of generating a variety of CMH applications. These applications are composed of multiple combinations of native Cloud and mobile applications. Our approach not only reduces the learning curve but also shields developers from the complexities of the target platforms. We provide a detailed description of our language and present the results obtained using our prototype generator implementation. We also present a list of extensions that will enhance the various aspects of this platform

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotic use in Paschim Bardhaman District: A survey of healthcare providers in West Bengal, India

IntroductionAntibiotic misuse is widespread and contributes to antibiotic resistance, especially in less regulated health systems such as India. Although informal providers are involved with substantial segments of primary healthcare, their level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices is not well documented in the literature.ObjectivesThis quantitative study systematically examines the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of informal and formal providers with respect to antibiotic use.MethodsWe surveyed a convenience sample of 384 participants (96 allopathic doctors, 96 nurses, 96 informal providers, and 96 pharmacy shopkeepers) over a period of 8 weeks from December to February using a validated questionnaire developed in Italy. Our team created an equivalent, composite KAP score for each respondent in the survey, which was subsequently compared between providers. We then performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds of having a low composite score (ResultsDoctors scored highest in questions assessing knowledge (77.3%) and attitudes (87.3%), but performed poorly in practices (67.6%). Many doctors knew that antibiotics were not indicated for viral infections, but over 87% (n = 82) reported prescribing them in this situation. Nurses, pharmacy shopkeepers, and informal providers were more likely to perform poorly on the survey compared to allopathic doctors (OR: 10.4, 95% CI 5.4, 20.0, pConclusionsOur findings indicate poor knowledge and awareness of antibiotic use and functions among informal health providers, and dissonance between knowledge and practices among allopathic doctors. The nexus between allopathic doctors, pharmaceutical company representatives, and informal health providers present promising avenues for future research and intervention

Lived experiences of palliative care among people living with HIV/AIDS: a qualitative study from Bihar, India.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the lived experiences of palliative care among critically unwell people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), caregivers and relatives of deceased patients. It also aimed to understand the broader palliative care context in Bihar. DESIGN: This was an exploratory, qualitative study which used thematic analysis of semistructured, in-depth interviews as well as a focus group discussion. SETTING: All interviews took place in a secondary care hospital in Patna, Bihar which provides holistic care to critically unwell PLHA. PARTICIPANTS: We purposively selected 29 participants: 10 critically unwell PLHA, 5 caregivers of hospitalised patients, 7 relatives of deceased patients who were treated in the secondary care hospital and 7 key informants from community-based organisations. RESULTS: Critically ill PLHA emphasised the need for psychosocial counselling and opportunities for social interaction in the ward, as well as a preference for components of home-based palliative care, even though they were unfamiliar with actual terms such as 'palliative care' and 'end-of-life care'. Critically unwell PLHA generally expressed preference for separate, private inpatient areas for end-of-life care. Relatives of deceased patients stated that witnessing patients' deaths caused trauma for other PLHA. Caregivers and relatives of deceased patients felt there was inadequate time and space for grieving in the hospital. While both critically ill PLHA and relatives wished that poor prognosis be transparently disclosed to family members, many felt it should not be disclosed to the dying patients themselves. CONCLUSIONS: Despite expected high inpatient fatality rates, PLHA in Bihar lack access to palliative care services. PLHA receiving end-of-life care in hospitals should have a separate dedicated area, with adequate psychosocial counselling and activities to prevent social isolation. Healthcare providers should make concerted efforts to inquire, understand and adapt their messaging on prognosis and end-of-life care based on patients' preferences

Spatio-Temporal-Thematic Analysis of Citizen Sensor Data: Challenges and Experiences

We present work in the spatio-temporal-thematic analysis of citizen-sensor observations pertaining to real-world events. Using Twitter as a platform for obtaining crowd-sourced observations, we explore the interplay between these 3 dimensions in extracting insightful summaries of social perceptions behind events. We present our experiences in building a web mashup application, Twitris that extracts and facilitates the spatio-temporal-thematic exploration of event descriptor summaries

Prevalence and determinants of asymptomatic Leishmania infection in HIV-infected individuals living within visceral leishmaniasis endemic areas of Bihar, India

People living with HIV (PLHIV) have an increased risk of developing visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and poor outcomes compared to HIV negative individuals. Here, we aim to establish the prevalence and determinants of asymptomatic Leishmania infection (ALI) in a cohort of PLHIV in Bihar, India. We hoped to evaluate optimal diagnostic algorithms to detect ALI in PLHIV. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of PLHIV ≥18 years of age with no history or current diagnosis of VL or post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) at anti-retroviral therapy centres within VL endemic districts of Bihar. ALI was defined as a positive rK39 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), rK39 rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, the urinary Leishmania antigen ELISA was evaluated. Determinants for ALI were established using logistic regression and agreement between diagnostic tests calculated using Cohen’s Kappa. A total of 1,296 PLHIV enrolled in HIV care, 694 (53.6%) of whom were female and a median age of 39 years (interquartile range 33–46), were included in the analysis. Baseline prevalence of ALI was 7.4% (n = 96). All 96 individuals were positive by rK39 ELISA, while 0.5% (n = 6) and 0.4% (n = 5) were positive by qPCR and rK39 RDT, respectively. Negligible or weak agreement was seen between assays. Independent risk factors for ALI were CD4 counts <100 (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.2–7.6) and CD4 counts 100–199 (OR = 2.1;95% CI:1.1–4.0) compared to CD4 counts ≥300, and a household size ≥5 (OR = 1.9;95% CI:1.1–3.1). A total of 2.2% (n = 28) participants were positive by Leishmania antigen ELISA, detecting 20 additional participants to the asymptomatic cohort. Prevalence of ALI in PLHIV in VL endemic villages in Bihar was relatively high. Using the Leishmania antigen ELISA, prevalence increased to 9.0%. Patients with low CD4 counts and larger household size were found to have significantly higher risk of ALI

Diagnostic accuracy of commercially available immunochromatographic rapid tests for diagnosis of dengue in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: There is limited evidence regarding the accuracy of dengue rapid diagnostic kits despite their extensive use in India. We evaluated the performance of four immunochromatographic Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDTs) kits: Multisure dengue Ab/Ag rapid test (MP biomedicals; MP), Dengucheck combo (Zephyr Biomedicals; ZB), SD bioline dengue duo (Alere; SD) and Dengue day 1 test (J Mitra; JM). METHODS: This is a laboratory-based diagnostic evaluation study. Rapid tests results were compared to reference non-structural (NS1) antigen or immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results of 241 dengue-positive samples and 247 dengue-negative samples. Sensitivity and specificity of NS1 and IgM components of each RDT were calculated separately and in combination (either NS1 or IgM positive) against reference standard ELISA. RESULTS: A total of 238, 226, 208, and 146 reference NS1 ELISA samples were tested with MP, ZB, SD, and JM tests, respectively. In comparison to the NS1 ELISA reference tests, the NS1 component of MP, ZB, SD, and JM RDTs demonstrated a sensitivity of 71.8%, 85.1%, 77.2% and 80.9% respectively and specificity of 90.1%, 92.8%, 96.1 %, and 93.6%, respectively. In comparison to the IgM ELISA reference test, the IgM component of RDTs showed a sensitivity of 40.0%, 50.3%, 47.3% and 20.0% respectively and specificity of 92.4%, 88.6%, 96.5%, and 92.2% respectively. Combining NS1 antigen and IgM antibody results led to sensitivities of 87.5%, 82.9%, 93.8% and 91.7% respectively, and specificities of 75.3%, 73.9%, 76.5%, and 80.0% respectively. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Though specificities were acceptable, the sensitivities of each test were markedly lower than manufacturers' claims. These results also support the added value of combined antigen-and antibody-based RDTs for the diagnosis of acute dengue

AmBisome Monotherapy and Combination AmBisome-Miltefosine Therapy for the Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Patients Coinfected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in India: A Randomized Open-Label, Parallel-Arm, Phase 3 Trial.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presents an increasingly important patient cohort in areas where both infections are endemic. Evidence for treatment is sparce, with no high-quality studies from the Indian subcontinent. METHODS: This is a randomized, open-label, parallel-arm, phase 3 trial conducted within a single hospital in Patna, India. One hundred and fifty patients aged ≥18 years with serologically confirmed HIV and parasitologically confirmed VL were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment arms, either a total 40 mg/kg intravenous liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome; Gilead Pharmaceuticals) administered in 8 equal doses over 24 days or a total 30 mg/kg intravenous AmBisome administered in 6 equal doses given concomitantly with a total 1.4 g oral miltefosine administered through 2 daily doses of 50 mg over 14 days. The primary outcome was intention-to-treat relapse-free survival at day 210, defined as absence of signs and symptoms of VL or, if symptomatic, negative parasitological investigations. RESULTS: Among 243 patients assessed for eligibility, 150 were recruited between 2 January 2017 and 5 April 2018, with no loss to follow-up. Relapse-free survival at day 210 was 85% (64/75; 95% CI, 77-100%) in the monotherapy arm, and 96%, (72/75; 90-100%) in the combination arm. Nineteen percent (28/150) were infected with concurrent tuberculosis, divided equally between arms. Excluding those with concurrent tuberculosis, relapse-free survival at day 210 was 90% (55/61; 82-100%) in the monotherapy and 97% (59/61; 91-100%) in the combination therapy arm. Serious adverse events were uncommon and similar in each arm. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy appears to be safe, well tolerated, and effective, and halves treatment duration of current recommendations. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry India (CTRI/2015/05/005807; the protocol is available online at https://osf.io/avz7r)