Modified Context Aware Middleware Architecture for Precision Agriculture

The opportunities for researchers are enhanced with the progression in the technology of communication and computing. The ease in life of many people like farmers, educators, administers, managers, etc., is increased with more inventions of the researchers using this new technology. The progressive technology for data management is providing more amount of information. However, is the user able to access the needed information when required? This question rises to the more questions like, how to identify whether the information is as per the requirement? Whether a user is authorized or not? The answer for all the questions is to make the support aware of the context. Therefore, the present technology needs to be modified to make the system aware about the context. The process of demonstrating the services based on the context using Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) with the help of illustration on mango crop is emphasized in this paper. There are many serious problems like unsuitable fertilizer use, wrong selection of crops in wrong seasons, water waste, poor publicizing in the case of farming. These problems are addressed using the ubiquitous context aware middleware architecture for precision agriculture in mango crop

Maternal and neonatal outcome in second stage cesarean section versus first stage: a comparative study

Background: Cesarean Section is the most commonly performed abdominal operation in women all over the world. Variable rates of cesarean section are reported between and within countries. Cesarean section at full cervical dilatation with an impacted fetal head can be technically difficult and is associated with increased trauma to the lower uterine segment and adjacent structures, as well as increased hemorrhage and infection.Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional study comparing maternal and neonatal outcome between first stage and second stage cesarean section performed at Govt Medical College Thrissur.Results: In present study out of 90 cesarean sections 30 were performed in second stage and 60 in first stage.74 % were primigravida in second stage cs group. Arrest due to malposition was major indication for second stage (76% of cases). The most important complication among second stage cs group was PPH (76.7%) and majority of them needed blood transfusion. These complications were less in first stage cs group. Other Complications like increased duration of surgery (mean=53.3 min), post op fever (36% post op Wound infection (13.3%) was seen in second stage group. Fetal complications like low APGAR scores were seen in 16.7% of cases compared to first stage group and most of them needed resuscitation.Conclusions: Women undergoing cesarean section in second stage of labour had increased maternal and fetal morbidity. They required special care and hence Operation should ideally perform and supervised by an experienced obstetrician. Timely decision for cesarean section should be made especially when risk factors for failure to progress are present

Center to limb observations and modeling of the Ca I 4227 A line

The observed center-to-limb variation (CLV) of the scattering polarization in different lines of the Second Solar Spectrum can be used to constrain the height variation of various atmospheric parameters, in particular the magnetic fields via the Hanle effect. Here we attempt to model non-magnetic CLV observations of the $Q/I$ profiles of the Ca I 4227 A line recorded with the ZIMPOL-3 at IRSOL. For modeling, we use the polarized radiative transfer with partial frequency redistribution with a number of realistic 1-D model atmospheres. We find that all the standard FAL model atmospheres, used by us, fail to simultaneously fit the observed ($I$, $Q/I$) at all the limb distances ($\mu$). However, an attempt is made to find a single model which can provide a fit at least to the CLV of the observed $Q/I$ instead of a simultaneous fit to the ($I$, $Q/I$) at all $\mu$. To this end we construct a new 1-D model by combining two of the standard models after modifying their temperature structures in the appropriate height ranges. This new combined model closely reproduces the observed $Q/I$ at all the $\mu$, but fails to reproduce the observed rest intensity at different $\mu$. Hence we find that no single 1-D model atmosphere succeeds in providing a good representation of the real Sun. This failure of 1-D models does not however cause an impediment to the magnetic field diagnostic potential of the Ca I 4227 A line. To demonstrate this we deduce the field strength at various $\mu$ positions without invoking the use of radiative transfer.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, Accepted for publication in Ap

Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan Nanoaggregates from Gladius of Uroteuthis duvauceli

We report the synthesis, characterization, and biological properties of chitosan nanoaggregates from gladius of squid, Uroteuthis duvauceli. β-Chitin extracted from gladius was deacetylated to chitosan and further reduced to nanosize using ionic gelation process. The morphology and occurrence of chitosan nanoaggregates (CSNA) were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The degree of deacetylation (DD%) calculated from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum showed high value (~94 ± 1.25%) for chitosan. The CSNA depicts low molecular weight, stable positive zeta potential, and less ash and moisture content with high water and fat binding capacity. The antimicrobial activity was tested against pathogenic microorganisms, which depicted significant rate of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli due to high cellular uptake. The antioxidant analysis for CSNA demonstrated high reducing power and scavenging activity towards superoxide radicals compared with the commercially available chitosan. Furthermore, nanoaggregates exhibited low cytotoxic behavior in biological in vitro tests performed using cervical cancer cell line. These results indicate that chitosan nanoaggregates synthesized from waste gladius will be highly efficient and safe candidate for biological applications as food packing film, drug carrier, and tissue engineering

Formulation and evaluation of herbal hair serum-a review

In the mammalian system the hair follicle is known to the most significant organ that determine, appearance, gender distinction, provides intense temperature protection and plays a role in self-defence. The younger generations have begun to suffer extreme hair loss problem due to many reasons. The hair loss is not temporary in most cases. but it results in alopecia. Many people suffering from hair loss is in search of multiple treatments due to extreme anxiety and tension. To improve hair growth and to prevent hair loss, hair root activation is required. Citrus sinensis is used to antidandruff protection hair care. It’s had antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Nigella sativa improves the shine, strength, volume, and texture of hair. Flax seed is full of fatty acids and antioxidants that tend to remove pollutants and dead cells from the scalp. Coconut oil may help to moisturise and seal hair. They can help to prevent dry, flaky scalp and dandruff. This review article focuses on the materials required for the formulation of hair serum and various evaluation tests to evaluate hair serum

Association Between Appendectomy and Clostridium difficile Infection

BackgroundRecent theory proposes that the appendix functions as a reservoir for commensal bacteria, and serves to re-inoculate the colon with normal flora in the event of pathogen exposure or purging of intestinal flora. If true, we reasoned that flora from a normal appendix could provide protection against Clostridium difficile. We conducted this investigation to examine the protective effect of an intact appendix and test the hypothesis that prior appendectomy will be more common among patients with a positive test for C. difficile as compared with patients who test negative.MethodsWe contacted patients who had undergone C. difficile testing and asked them whether or not they had a prior appendectomy. Using their responses and results from Toxin A & B EIA tests, we calculated the difference in appendectomy rates between those who tested positive for C. difficile, and those who tested negative. We considered a positive 15% absolute difference to represent a significant increase in appendectomy rate.ResultsWe enrolled 257 patients. Among the 136 who tested positive for C. difficile, 27 (19.9%) had prior appendectomies, while among 121 patients testing negative for C. difficile, 38 (31.4%) had prior appendectomies, yielding a difference in appendectomy rates of -11.6% (95% Confidence Interval: -21.6% to -0.9%).ConclusionsThe rate of prior appendectomy was actually lower among patients with a positive C. difficile test as compared to those with a negative test. Conversely, patients who tested positive for C. difficile were more likely to have an intact appendix than those who tested negative. These results suggest that rather than being protective, an intact appendix appears to promote C. difficile acquisition, carriage, and disease.KeywordsClostridium difficile; Appendix; Appendectomy; Microbial reservoir; Infection

Validation of a general measure of treatment satisfaction, the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), using a national panel study of chronic disease

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to develop and psychometrically evaluate a general measure of patients' satisfaction with medication, the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM). METHODS: The content and format of 55 initial questions were based on a formal conceptual framework, an extensive literature review, and the input from three patient focus groups. Patient interviews were used to select the most relevant questions for further evaluation (n = 31). The psychometric performance of items and resulting TSQM scales were examined using eight diverse patient groups (arthritis, asthma, major depression, type I diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, migraine, and psoriasis) recruited from a national longitudinal panel study of chronic illness (n = 567). Participants were then randomized to complete the test items using one of two alternate scaling methods (Visual Analogue vs. Likert-type). RESULTS: A factor analysis (principal component extraction with varimax rotation) of specific items revealed three factors (Eigenvalues > 1.7) explaining 75.6% of the total variance; namely Side effects (4 items, 28.4%, Cronbach's Alpha = .87), Effectiveness (3 items, 24.1%, Cronbach's Alpha = .85), and Convenience (3 items, 23.1%, Cronbach's Alpha = .87). A second factor analysis of more generally worded items yielded a Global Satisfaction scale (3 items, Eigenvalue = 2.3, 79.1%, Cronbach's Alpha = .85). The final four scales possessed good psychometric properties, with the Likert-type scaling method performing better than the VAS approach. Significant differences were found on the TSQM by the route of medication administration (oral, injectable, topical, inhalable), level of illness severity, and length of time on medication. Regression analyses using the TSQM scales accounted for 40–60% of variation in patients' ratings of their likelihood to persist with their current medication. CONCLUSION: The TSQM is a psychometrically sound and valid measure of the major dimensions of patients' satisfaction with medication. Preliminary evidence suggests that the TSQM may also be a good predictor of patients' medication adherence across different types of medication and patient populations

Origin of spatial variations of scattering polarization in the wings of the Ca {\sc i} 4227 \AA line

Polarization that is produced by coherent scattering can be modified by magnetic fields via the Hanle effect. According to standard theory the Hanle effect should only be operating in the Doppler core of spectral lines but not in the wings. In contrast, our observations of the scattering polarization in the Ca {\sc i} 4227 \AA line reveals the existence of spatial variations of the scattering polarization throughout the far line wings. This raises the question whether the observed spatial variations in wing polarization have a magnetic or non-magnetic origin. A magnetic origin may be possible if elastic collisions are able to cause sufficient frequency redistribution to make the Hanle effect effective in the wings without causing excessive collisional depolarization, as suggested by recent theories for partial frequency redistribution with coherent scattering in magnetic fields. To model the wing polarization we apply an extended version of the technique based on the "last scattering approximation". This model is highly successful in reproducing the observed Stokes $Q/I$ polarization (linear polarization parallel to the nearest solar limb), including the location of the wing polarization maxima and the minima around the Doppler core, but it fails to reproduce the observed spatial variations of the wing polarization in terms of magnetic field effects with frequency redistribution. This null result points in the direction of a non-magnetic origin in terms of local inhomogeneities (varying collisional depolarization, radiation-field anisotropies, and deviations from a plane-parallel atmospheric stratification).Comment: Accepted in May 2009 for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

MUC16-mediated activation of mTOR and c-Myc reprograms pancreatic cancer metabolism.

MUC16, a transmembrane mucin, facilitates pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression and metastasis. In the current studies, we observed that MUC16 knockdown pancreatic cancer cells exhibit reduced glucose uptake and lactate secretion along with reduced migration and invasion potential, which can be restored by supplementing the culture media with lactate, an end product of aerobic glycolysis. MUC16 knockdown leads to inhibition of mTOR activity and reduced expression of its downstream target c-MYC, a key player in cellular growth, proliferation and metabolism. Ectopic expression of c-MYC in MUC16 knockdown pancreatic cancer cells restores the altered cellular physiology. Our LC-MS/MS based metabolomics studies indicate global metabolic alterations in MUC16 knockdown pancreatic cancer cells, as compared to the controls. Specifically, glycolytic and nucleotide metabolite pools were significantly decreased. We observed similar metabolic alterations that correlated with MUC16 expression in primary tumor tissue specimens from human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cancer patients. Overall, our results demonstrate that MUC16 plays an important role in metabolic reprogramming of pancreatic cancer cells by increasing glycolysis and enhancing motility and invasiveness