Bin Packing under Random-Order: Breaking the Barrier of 3/2

Best-Fit is one of the most prominent and practically used algorithms for the bin packing problem, where a set of items with associated sizes needs to be packed in the minimum number of unit-capacity bins. Kenyon [SODA '96] studied online bin packing under random-order arrival, where the adversary chooses the list of items, but the items arrive one by one according to an arrival order drawn uniformly randomly from the set of all permutations of the items. Kenyon's seminal result established an upper bound of $1.5$ and a lower bound of $1.08$ on the random-order ratio of Best-Fit, and it was conjectured that the true ratio is $\approx 1.15$. The conjecture, if true, will also imply that Best-Fit (on randomly permuted input) has the best performance guarantee among all the widely-used simple algorithms for (offline) bin packing. This conjecture has remained one of the major open problems in the area, as highlighted in the recent survey on random-order models by Gupta and Singla [Beyond the Worst-Case Analysis of Algorithms '20]. Recently, Albers et al. [Algorithmica '21] improved the upper bound to $1.25$ for the special case when all the item sizes are greater than $1/3$, and they improve the lower bound to $1.1$. Ayyadevara et al. [ICALP '22] obtained an improved result for the special case when all the item sizes lie in $(1/4, 1/2]$, which corresponds to the $3$-partition problem. The upper bound of $3/2$ for the general case, however, has remained unimproved. In this paper, we make the first progress towards the conjecture, by showing that Best-Fit achieves a random-order ratio of at most $1.5 - \varepsilon$, for a small constant $\varepsilon>0$. Furthermore, we establish an improved lower bound of $1.144$ on the random-order ratio of Best-Fit, nearly reaching the conjectured ratio

Quantification of yield gaps in rain-fed rice, wheat, cotton and mustard in India

Rainfed farming / Crop yield / Simulation / Rice / Wheat / Cotton / Mustard / India

Drotaverine to improve progression of labour among parturient women- a case control study

Background: Prolonged labour contributes to increased perinatal and maternal morbidity. Pharmacological interventions can hasten cervical dilation and help obstetrician to accomplish the delivery in the shortest possible time without compromising maternal and fetal safety. Aims and objectives were to evaluate the acceleration effect of drotaverine on the dilatation of the cervix in both primigravidae and multigravida and compare it with control group. Methods: A total of 70 patients were studied (35 in drotaverine group and 35 in control group). The inclusion criteria were pregnancy with at least 37 weeks completed, cervical dilatation 3-4 cm, regular uterine contractions and cephalic presentation. The study group received 40 mg drotaverine hydrochloride i.m. in active phase of labour, control group received standard delivery care. Parameters such as duration of first and second stage of labour, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and side effects to drug was recorded. Results: 6 subjects from the study group and 4 from the control group developed complications in first stage of labour and were taken up for operative delivery and hence they were excluded from calculation of various labour parameters. The mean rate of cervical dilatation with drotaverine was 2.26 cm/hour, while it was 1.67 cm/hour without any intervention (p value <0.05). Mean duration of active phase of first stage of labor was 3.09 hours in drotaverine group against 4.98 hours in study group (p value <0.05). There were no significant untoward effects noted in either of the groups. Conclusions: Drotaverine was found to be an effective and safe drug in shortening the duration of the first stage of labor without any significant detrimental effects on the mother and newborn. Drotaverine did not interfere with uterine contractility and there was no increased incidence of operative deliveries.

Sonographic assessment of fetal head deflexion using occiput: spine angle measured during first stage of labour and its role in predicting the mode of delivery among nulliparous women

Background: The attitude of the fetal head during labour significantly influences the progress and outcome of delivery and is mainly diagnosed by vaginal examination during labour. The aim of the study was to quantify the extent of deflexion of the fetal head by measuring the fetal occiput spine angle (OSA) through transabdominal ultrasonography in the first stage of labour and to determine whether the fetal OSA can predict the mode of delivery.Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study on 145 nulliparous uncomplicated singleton pregnant women without occiput-posterior position of the fetus during active labour. The OSA was measured as the angle between the two tangential lines to the occipital bone and the vertebral body of the first cervical spine, during active labour and monitored until delivery. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the OSA measurement and the correlation between the OSA and mode of delivery were also evaluated.Results: For the study population, the mean value of the OSA measured in the active phase of the first stage was 124.2±11.5⁰. The OSA measurement showed excellent intraobserver agreement (r = 0.82; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.70-0.80) and fair-to-good interobserver agreement (r = 0.62; 95% CI 0.51-0.71).  The mean OSA was significantly less for the group of patients who required conversion to cesarean section due to labour arrest (n=32) as compared to those who had vaginal delivery (n=113) (116.25±9.2⁰ versus 126.53±11.1⁰, P<0.01). An OSA of ≥121° was associated with vaginal delivery in 80.5% (91/113) of women, whereas 87.5% (28/32) of the women who delivered by cesarean section had an OSA <121⁰.Conclusions: Measurement of the OSA, by sonography is feasible, reproducible and an objective tool to assess the degree of fetal head deflexion during labour and to predict the mode of delivery

Economic Feasibility of Vegetable Production under Polyhouse:A Case Study of Capsicum and Tomato

Polyhouse cultivation of vegetables is emerging as a specialized production technology to overcome biotic and abiotic stresses and to break the seasonal barrier to production. It also ensures round the year production of highvalue vegetables, like capsicum, especially, during off-season. Cost is the major issue in sustaining this technology. The present study examined the economic viability of production of capsicum and tomato in a naturally ventilated polyhouse of medium cost category with drip irrigation system. Data were generated by cost accounting method for estimating the feasibility of production and was analyzed by using project evaluation methods, like Pay Back Period (PBP), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR), Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Cultivation of capsicum in a polyhouse was found to be highly feasible as reflected in higher values of NPV (Rs.3,23,145/500 m2), BCR (1.80) and IRR (53.7%) with payback period of less than two years. Breakeven price for capsicum production in a polyhouse (Rs.11.80/kg) was lesser than average wholesale price. Production of tomato in a polyhouse was found not feasible, as the breakeven price was more than the average market price and all the project appraisal parameters indicated that it was not feasible. Only at about 48% premium price over the prevailing market price or reduction of cost of polyhouse structure by 60% from Rs.400 to Rs.160 /m2, could make the tomato production viable in a poly house

A prospective evaluation of efficacy and safety of topical bromfenac 0.09% over topical flurbiprofen 0.03% after cataract surgery

Background: Different medications are used to reduce pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. Hence this study was taken up to compare the efficacy and safety of topical bromfenac 0.09% over topical flurbiprofen 0.03% in reducing anterior chamber inflammation and pain after cataract surgery.Methods: Total of 100 patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery with posterior chamber intra ocular lens (IOL) implantation were randomly allocated to receive bromfenac 0.09% and flurbiprofen 0.03% topically from first post-operative day onwards for 6 weeks. Assessment of anterior chamber inflammation and pain was done by slit lamp and visual analogue scale respectively on each follow up days. Analysis was done by unpaired t test and Fischer’s exact test.Results: The response to treatment was earlier in bromfenac group for all the inflammatory changes (significant difference was found on day 7, p<0.05) except for corneal edema where both the groups showed similar response. On 7th day after surgery, 72% patients in flurbiprofen group and 12% in bromfenac group had pain (score1), while on the 14th day none in the bromfenac group complained of pain whereas 4% in flurbiprofen group still had pain. Both the drugs were safe and no clinically serious adverse effects were observed in either of the groups.Conclusions: This study showed both the medications, topical bromfenac 0.09% and topical flurbiprofen 0.03% effective and safe in reducing pain and anterior chamber inflammation after cataract surgery but the response was earlier with bromfenac 0.09%

Assessment of awareness on generic drugs among health care professionals and laypersons

Background: In the present day world the expenditure on medicines is very high. Most of the people in developing countries find it difficult to afford expensive medicines. One of the measures to cut down the expenditure on medicines is to use generic drugs. Hence the study was taken up to know the awareness, attitude and preference for generic drugs among medical and non medical persons.Methods: The study was done on 290 participants. 60 medical interns, 30 doctors, 50 nurses, 50 non medical staff (clerks and attenders) and 100 patients were included. They were given a questionnaire to know the awareness and knowledge on generic drugs, willingness to prescribe (among doctors) and use it (non medical staff and patients).Results: This study showed that all medical persons- doctors, interns and nurses knew about generic drugs whereas 60% of non medical staff and 95% of the patients were not aware about it. All doctors had good knowledge about generic drugs and 80% prescribed it always. 70% of the patients depended on what doctors prescribed for them and never asked for generic/ branded drugs in particular. 70% non medical staff preferred it only sometimes.Conclusions: The awareness among non medical persons is poor than medical persons among the surveyed population. Hence adequate measures should be taken to increase awareness and knowledge among public so that they become imperative enough to ask their doctors to prescribe generic drugs

Is it worth preserving the uterus? unanticipated pathology in hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse (POP)

Background: In recent years concept of uterine conservation has been increasing at the time of surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). This study was intended to assess the risk of premalignant and malignant uterine/endometrial, and cervical pathology at the time of hysterectomy-based POP procedures, to better understand the risks of uterine conservation in the surgical treatment of POP in Indian setup.Methods: Patients who had undergone vaginal hysterectomy for POP in last five years were identified by medical record tracking using ICD-9 codes. Case records then were reviewed to collect patient characteristics and the final histopathological diagnosis of the hysterectomy specimen. Cases with premalignant or malignant uterine/endometrial or cervical pathology recognized prior to surgery were excluded.Results: A total of 573 women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair for the sole indication of POP were included. On analyzing the histopathological diagnosis of the specimen obtained during surgery in 57.1% of cases the findings were consistent with the changes seen in cases of POP. Only 5.9 % of cases had cervical or endometrial pathologies who would have required treatment/follow up in future if the uterus was left in situ.Conclusions: The risk of missing a malignant and premalignant cervical or uterine pathology in women presenting with uterine prolapse is low if appropriate preoperative workup has been done. Uterine preservation in surgical management of POP could be considered an option

Impact of educational intervention on pressurized metered dose inhaler technique among undergraduate medical students

Background: Inhaled medications form the cornerstone for the management of Asthma and related diseases. Proper technique of pressurized metered dose Inhalers (pMDIs) has proven to be associated with higher level of control of these conditions. Medical personnel who are responsible for training patients must themselves be proficient with usage of pMDI. This study evaluated the outcome of different educational interventions regarding the correct usage of pMDI.Methods: An interventional study was carried out with 60 second year medical students in department of pharmacology, HIMS, Hassan from June to August 2015. Pre and post intervention (after one week and one month) was evaluated based on National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) criteria for the use of pMDI by written and demonstration methods. The interventions included a video clip, an information leaflet and demonstration by a trained faculty.Results: Overall mean scores in pre-test for written knowledge and skill demonstration are 2.13±1.49 and 3.78±1.06 .There was substantial improvement in post intervention scores 7.15±1.41 and 7.37±1.67 (p<0.05) . Using one way ANOVA, demonstration group has shown statistically significant improvement in mean score compared to video and checklist groups in 1 week (8.8 versus 7.2 and 6.1, p<0.05) and 1 month (8.25 versus 7.1 and 5.7 (p<0.05) after the intervention.Conclusions: Correct usage of pMDI is a necessary skill for health care professionals and can be taught by various methods. The educational intervention by an interactive demonstration has proven to be effective in learning the inhaler technique

TinyTurbo: Efficient Turbo Decoders on Edge

In this paper, we introduce a neural-augmented decoder for Turbo codes called TINYTURBO . TINYTURBO has complexity comparable to the classical max-log-MAP algorithm but has much better reliability than the max-log-MAP baseline and performs close to the MAP algorithm. We show that TINYTURBO exhibits strong robustness on a variety of practical channels of interest, such as EPA and EVA channels, which are included in the LTE standards. We also show that TINYTURBO strongly generalizes across different rate, blocklengths, and trellises. We verify the reliability and efficiency of TINYTURBO via over-the-air experiments.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. Published at the 2022 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT