Water productivity of irrigted agriculture in India: potential areas for improvement

Water productivityIrrigated farmingWater use efficiencyWheatCottonRiver basinsWater conservation

An Ideal Approach for Detection and Prevention of Phishing Attacks

AbstractPhishing is a treacherous attempt to embezzle personal information such as bank account details, credit card information, social security number, employment details, and online shopping account passwords and so on from internet users. Phishing, or stealing of sensitive information on the web, has dealt a major blow to Internet security in recent times. These attacks use spurious emails or websites designed to fool users into divulging personal financial data by emulating the trusted brands of well-known banks, e-commerce and credit card companies.In this paper, we propose a phishing detection and prevention approach combining URL-based and Webpage similarity based detection. URL-based phishing detection involves extraction of actual URL (to which the website is actually directed) and the visual URL (which is visible to the user). LinkGuard Algorithm is used to analyze the two URLs and finally depending on the result produced by the algorithm the procedure proceeds to the next phase. If phishing is not detected or Phishing possibility is predicted in URL-based detection, the algorithm proceeds to the visual similarity based detection. A novel technique to visually compare a suspicious page with the legitimate one is presented

An Efficient Approach to Reduce the Energy Consumption in Wireless Sensor Networks through Active Nodes Optimization

© ASEE 2007A sensor network is made up of numerous small independent sensor nodes with sensing, processing and communicating capabilities. The sensor nodes have limited battery and a minimal amount of on-board computing power. This paper presents a novel methodology that utilizes source and path redundancy technique to effectively reduce the required energy consumption while at the same time maximize the lifetime of the sensor networks. In addition, the proposed methodology presents a strategy to optimize the number of active sensor nodes and assign equal time slots to each sensor nodes for sensing and communicating with the Base Station (BS). Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed methodology significantly minimizes the energy consumption and consequently increases the life time of the sensor nodes

PDE8 controls CD4(+) T cell motility through the PDE8A-Raf-1 kinase signaling complex

The levels of cAMP are regulated by phosphodiesterase enzymes (PDEs), which are targets for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. We have previously shown that PDE8 regulates T cell motility. Here, for the first time, we report that PDE8A exerts part of its control of T cell function through the V-raf-1 murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (Raf-1) kinase signaling pathway. To examine T cell motility under physiologic conditions, we analyzed T cell interactions with endothelial cells and ligands in flow assays. The highly PDE8-selective enzymatic inhibitor PF-04957325 suppresses adhesion of in vivo myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) activated inflammatory CD4(+) T effector (Teff) cells to brain endothelial cells under shear stress. Recently, PDE8A was shown to associate with Raf-1 creating a compartment of low cAMP levels around Raf-1 thereby protecting it from protein kinase A (PKA) mediated inhibitory phosphorylation. To test the function of this complex in Teff cells, we used a cell permeable peptide that selectively disrupts the PDE8A-Raf-1 interaction. The disruptor peptide inhibits the Teff-endothelial cell interaction more potently than the enzymatic inhibitor. Furthermore, the LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction was identified as a target of disruptor peptide mediated reduction of adhesion, spreading and locomotion of Teff cells under flow. Mechanistically, we observed that disruption of the PDE8A-Raf-1 complex profoundly alters Raf-1 signaling in Teff cells. Collectively, our studies demonstrate that PDE8A inhibition by enzymatic inhibitors or PDE8A-Raf-1 kinase complex disruptors decreases Teff cell adhesion and migration under flow, and represents a novel approach to target T cells in inflammation

Study of prescription pattern and adverse drug reactions in patients with cervical cancer in tertiary care teaching institute

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women especially in developing countries. In India, it is estimated that 1, 22, 644 new cases of cancer cervix occur every year. Incidence rate is 22 per lac population and mortality rate is 12.4 per lac population. The objective of this study was to study the prescription pattern and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients with cervical cancer.Methods: Twenty five patients of cancer cervix Stage (IIa to IVb) receiving chemotherapy were enrolled in the study after written informed consent of patients. Approval was obtained from institutional ethics committee. It was cross sectional, observational study. Prescriptions were analysed for no. of drugs prescribed, time interval between two cycles, no. of cycles of chemotherapy. Any ADR observed by patient or treating physician was noted and causality was assessed by Naranjo’s algorithm. Preventability and severity of ADRs were assessed by modified Schumock and Thornton scale, modified Hartwig and Siegel scale respectively.Results: Twenty five patients were enrolled with mean age 52.24±8.66 years and mean weight 51.76±5.88 kg. 84% patients were on combination chemotherapy. Percentage of anticancer drugs prescribed were: cisplatin (72%); paclitaxel (40%); 5FU (36%); carboplatin (32%); gemcitabine (4%). Chemotherapeutic drugs were given at 3 weekly intervals for 6 cycles. ADR observed were nausea (76%), vomiting (40%), alopecia (32%), headache (12%), bodyache (12%), anorexia (12%), diarrhoea (8%) and malaise (4%). Causality assessment of ADR by Naranjo’s algorithm showed 89.8% probable and 10.2% possible reactions. According to modified Schumock and Thornton scale, 26.5% reactions are ‘not preventable’ however 73.5% are ‘definitely preventable’. According to modified Hartwig and Siegel scale, 75.5% were ‘mild level 1’severity however 24.5% were ‘moderate level 3’ severity.Conclusions: Among patients with CA cervix, cisplatin was most commonly prescribed drug. Nausea was most common ADR which is of ‘mild level 1’ severity

Periodontal Status amongst Substance Abusers in Indian Population

Background. In India there have been limited number of studies on periodontal status among drug addicts, and thus this study aims to assess the Oral hygiene and periodontal status in substance abusers and compare it with non-substance abusers. Methods. A comparative study was conducted to assess the periodontal status in substance abusers. Non-substance abusers were procured from the general population of Bangalore. From the control group 250 non-substance abusers were age and sex matched with the study population of substance abusers. The oral hygiene and periodontal condition of all subjects was assessed using Oral hygiene index- simplified (OHI-S), Russell's periodontal indices and Gingival bleeding index. Results. The mean of OHI-S and Periodontal Index (Russell's Index) scores were higher (2.70 and 3.68, resp.) in substance abusers than the control group (2.45 and 2.59, resp.). The mean Gingival bleeding score was lower (9.69) in substance abusers than the control group (22.7) and found to be statistically significant. A positive correlation found between OHI-S and Russell's periodontal index whereas negative correlation was found between OHI-S and Gingival bleeding in substance abusers. Conclusions. Though the oral hygiene was fair, more periodontal destruction and less of gingival bleeding were observed in substance abusers as compared to control group

SOLUBILITY ENHANCEMENT AND DISSOLUTION IMPROVEMENT- LIQISOLID TECHNIQUE

This technique is based upon the admixture of drug loaded solutions with appropriate carrier and coating materials. The use of non-volatile solvent causes improved wettability and ensures molecular dispersion of drug in the formulation and leads to enhance solubility. By using hydrophobic carriers (non-volatile solvents) one can modify release (sustained release) of drugs by this technique. Liquisolid system is characterized by flow behavior, wettability, powder bed hydrophilicity, saturation solubility, drug content, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, in-vitro release and in-vivo evaluation. The increased bioavailability is due to either increased surface area of drug available for release, an increased aqueous solubility of the drug, or improved wettability of the drug particles. According to the new formulation method of liqui-solid compacts, liquid medications such as solutions or suspensions of water insoluble drugs in suitable nonvolatile liquid vehicles can be converted into acceptably flowing and compressible powders by blending with selected powder excipients. It has been speculated that such systems exhibit enhanced release profiles. In this case, even though the drug is in a solid dosage form, it is held within the powder substratin solution or, in a solubilized, almost molecularly dispersed state, which contributes to the enhanced drug dissolution properties. According to the new formulation method of liquisolid compacts, liquid medications such as solutions or suspensions of water insoluble drugs in suitable non-volatile liquid vehicles can be converted into acceptably flowing and compressible powders by blending with selected powder excipients. Large scale production of fabricated drug on commercial level successful liquisolid tablet is a determination of optimal flowable liquid retention. Keywords: Poorly soluble drugs, coating material, carrier, hydrophilic solvent, liquisolid compact

FABRICATION DEVELOPMENT, OPTIMIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GASTRORETENTIVE MICROSPHERES OF AN ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUG

The objective of the present study was to develop floating microspheres of Captopril in order to achieve an extended retention in the upper GIT which may enhance the absorption and improve the bioavailability. In the present study, preparation of captopril floating microspheres, evaluation of Floating Drug Delivery System (FDDS) in vitro, forecast of the release, and optimization of stirring speed and polymers ratio to match target release profile was investigated. The microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation method using different ratio of hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4M) with drug in the mixture dichloromethane and ethanol at ratio of (1:1), with tween80 as the surfactant. Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) study shows that drug and other excipients are compatible with each other. The effects of polymers concentration on drug release profile were investigated. The floating microspheres were characterized by and results obtained are % yield, particle size analysis, drug entrapment efficiency, surface topography, buoyancy percentage, in-vitro drug release was studied for 12 hour and scanning electron microscopy. Accelerated stability study was also performed for three months indicated that optimized formulation was stable. The floating microspheres showed better result and it may be use full for prolong the drug release in stomach and improve the bioavailability. The outcome showed that the polymer ratio and stirring speed affected the size, incorporation efficiency and drug release of microspheres (> 12 h), floating time (> 12 hr) and the best results were obtained at the ratio of HPMC K4M: EC (1:6). The mean particle size of prepared floating microspheres increased but the drug release rate from the microspheres decreased as the polymer concentration increased. The developed floating microspheres of captopril may be used for prolonged drug release for at least 12 hrs, thereby improving the bioavailability and patient compliance. Key words: Floating microspheres (FDDS), captopril, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, in-vitro release studies, bioavailability

Distribution of level curvatures for the Anderson model at the localization-delocalization transition

We compute the distribution function of single-level curvatures, $P(k)$, for a tight binding model with site disorder, on a cubic lattice. In metals $P(k)$ is very close to the predictions of the random-matrix theory (RMT). In insulators $P(k)$ has a logarithmically-normal form. At the Anderson localization-delocalization transition $P(k)$ fits very well the proposed novel distribution $P(k)\propto (1+k^{\mu})^{3/\mu}$ with $\mu \approx 1.58$, which approaches the RMT result for large $k$ and is non-analytical at small $k$. We ascribe such a non-analiticity to the spatial multifractality of the critical wave functions.Comment: 4 ReVTeX pages and 4(.epsi)figures included in one uuencoded packag