Robotic navigation in the presence of static and dynamic obstacles

Computer Vision is the analytic study of motion dependent machines that extract valuable information from an image and perform some algorithmic processing on the captured images to derive necessary information to solve a particular or a set of tasks. Computer vision is the reconstruction of explicit, meaningful descriptions of physical objects obtained from their images. As far as scientific discipline is concerned, it moreover concerns itself with the theoretical aspects related to artificial intelligent systems that extract valuable information from the captured images. The role of computer vision in automated system is providing the detailed information about the working environment. A robust vision system should always be able to detect as well as identify objects reliably and provide an accurate and precise information as well as representation of the environment conditions to high level processes. The robust vision system should be highly effective and efficient, allowing all the objects which are limited and used as resource to respond quickly to a changing environment. Computer Vision is the key aspect to the design of the automatic responsive system by virtue of which the objects in the system localize themselves in the environment and act according to the changing nature of the environment variables. The objective of the project was to build an autonomous vehicle for urban road which could guide itself to the specified location based on its decision making quality on basis of the path analysis using image processing and GPS. It would guide from the present source to the destination based on the path created using the wave points with obstacle avoidance of all objects, both static and dynamic in nature. It should also be capable of switching into manual mode control upon instruction being issued i.e. it can be controlled manually using the manual wireless control using X-Bee wireless module

The Assessment of Mucoadhesivity of Natural Polymer Derived Form Plant Sources

The main aim and objective of my present research work was to determine the various important mucoadhesive parameters such as mucoadhesive force, force of adhesion and bonding strength etc. Mucoadhesive properties of natural polymers were evaluated by formulating gels using Carbopol 940 P as a gelling agent. Mucoadhesive parameters of the prepared Carbopol 940 P gels containing natural polymers were determined by ex vivo followed by modified physical balance using excised cock intestinal mucosa. From the recent experimental data it was displayed that the mucoadhesive strength, force of adhesion and bonding strength of gel containing low methoxy pectin (1 % w/v) was found higher than other tested gels. The gel containing Moringa oleifera gum (1 % w/v) exhibited less mucoadhesion than other tested gels. The order of mucoadhesion of these plant-derived polymers was found as: low methoxy pectin > jackfruit seed starch > cashew gum/okra gum gum > pumpkin pectin > linseed mucilage > sago starch > gum Arabic > xanthan gum > fenugreek seed mucilage/black palm seed polysaccharide > Moringa oleifera gum. Keywords: Mucoadhesion, Mucoadhesive strength, gelling agent, intestinal mucosa, and plant derived polymers etc

Hormonal effects of drosperinone and ethinyl estradiol based combined oral contraceptives on polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder treated with combined oral contraceptives (COCs). The androgenic potential of any type of COC is in part determined by the progestin present. A newer form of progestin, drospirenone, has been recently introduced, and is available in combination with ethinyl estradiol.Methods: The study was conducted on 60 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria, in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Terna Medical College and Hospital. Patients were diagnosed as PCOS according to Rotterdam criteria. After initial evaluation, blood samples were sent for levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Each patient was advised to take a combination of EE (30 mcg) + drosperinone (3 mg), 1 tablet daily from the second day of her menstruation for 21 days then a 7 days gap and again for 21 days and so on cyclically for 3 cycles, then to repeat the tests as done at the beginning.  Hirsutism was assessed clinically using the Ferriman-Gallwey scale at initial visit and three months later.Results: We found a significant improvement in the Serum LH, FSH levels and a significant fall in free testosterone levels accompanied by a rise in SHBG levels. There is also overall improvement in the hirsutism scores.Conclusions: Drosperinone based COCs are a good and effective means of treatment of PCOS. Treatment duration of three months was found to be effective in our study

Implementing a Public Private Partnership Model for Managing Urban Health in Ahmedabad

Governments in many developing countries acknowledge they are facing difficulties in their attempt to meet the basic health needs of their populations. They rely on contracting out to private (for-profit and not-for-profit) organizations as a strategy to meet the needs of underserved populations. For the most part, the public sector chooses to contract out primary healthcare services to the private sector to expand access, increase the availability of medicines and medical supplies, and improve the quality of care. In both urban and rural settings, private for-profit and non-profit health service providers serve both the rich and the poor. Communities often recognize private sector healthcare providers to be more responsive to their healthcare needs and preferences in terms of services available, suitable timings and geographical access etc. Private sector has always played a significant role in the delivery of health services in developing countries. Public-private-partnership (PPP) is an approach under which services are delivered by the private sector, while the responsibility for providing the resources rests with the government. Establishing a PPP requires a legal framework acceptable to all the partners, clarity on the commitment of resources, roles and responsibilities of each partner, as well as accountability to provide a given set of services at a desired level of quality and affordable user charges. Formalizing such an arrangement between partners requires conceptualising a framework for Public Private Partnership (PPP) to manage the delivery of health services. In this paper, we describe the design, development and implementation of a PPP for managing urban health services in Ahmedabad city, Gujarat. Our model has succeeded in bringing together compatible public and private partners to plan and deliver quality healthcare services to meet the community needs of Vasna ward, in Ahmedabad. The new Vasna Urban Health centre was inaugurated on July 23, by the Chief Minister of Guajarat. This new centre now serves about 120 outpatients everyday as against an average of 10 outpatients daily earlier.

MODIFICATION OF GUMS BY PERIODATE OXIDATION: A NATURAL CROSS-LINKER

Scientists throughout the world are in search of novel modified biopolymer to fabricate smart drug delivery systems based on hydrogel formulations using several cross-linkers like glutaraldehyde, glyoxal, epichlorhydrin, adipic acid dihydrazide, carbodiimide, genipin, etc. Agents that are fused into the polymeric structure like isocyanates, glutaraldehyde, polyepoxides, etc., and are extremely toxic in nature. In addition, these are susceptible to percolate out into the body on biodegradation of polymeric structure. As an alternative to these toxic cross-linking agents, the periodate-Schiff base staining technique is widely being used for cross-linking in biology and biochemistry. The mechanism of this cross-linking technique is based on the reaction in-between the Schiff reagent and the aldehydes produced via the periodate oxidation. During the past few decades, several researchers have already been studied on the natural gums and also, developed their dialdehyde derivatives via the periodate oxidation technique. These periodate oxidized gums are being used to cross-link gelatin, other proteins and chitosan to develop various smart systems for drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound dressing, edible films, etc. The current review presents a comprehensive discussion of the available reported literature on the periodate oxidation of various gums and their use as natural cross-linker

Fabrication and Release Kinetics of Liposomes Containing Leuprolide Acetate

The present work is focused on the preparation and in vitro release kinetics of liposomal formulation of Leuprolide Acetate. In this work, “Thin Lipid Film Hydration Method” was used for preparation of Leuprolide Acetate loaded liposomes. Prepared liposomal formulations of Leuprolide acetate was evaluated by drug entrapment study, in-vitro drug release kinetics and stability studies. The percentage drug entrapment of Leuprolide acetate for F1 and F2 formulations were found to be 78.14 ± 0.67 and 66.70 ± 0.81% respectively. In-vitro drug release study of liposomal formulations had shown zero order release pattern. Regression co-efficient (R2) value of Zero order kinetics for F1 and F2 formulations were 0.9912 and 0.9676 respectively. After storing formulations for 1 month, stability testing was done at 40C.It was found that all batches were stable. These liposomal formulations of Leuprolide acetate can be formulated for parenteral application to treat prostate cancer and in women, to treat symptoms of endometriosis (overgrowth of uterine lining outside of the uterus) or uterine fibroids

Solubility and Dissolution Enhancement of Etoricoxib by Solid Dispersion Technique Using Sugar Carriers

The aim of the present study was to improve solubility and dissolution of the poorly aqueous soluble drug, etoricoxib by solvent evaporation technique using various sugar carriers, such as lactose, sucrose, and mannitol. Etoricoxib solid dispersions and their respective physical mixtures using lactose, sucrose, and mannitol were prepared in different ratios by solvent evaporation technique. The percent yield, drug content, saturation solubility, and in vitro dissolution of etoricoxib solid dispersions and physical mixtures were analyzed. Etoricoxib solid dispersions were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, and DSC analysis. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis revealed the possibility of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in various solid dispersions. The XRD and DSC studies indicated the transformation of crystalline etoricoxib (in pure drug) to amorphous etoricoxib (in solid dispersions) by the solid dispersion technology. Both the aqueous solubility and dissolution of etoricoxib were observed in all etoricoxib solid dispersions as compared with pure etoricoxib and their physical mixtures. The in vitro dissolution studies exhibited improved dissolution in case of solid dispersion using lactose than the solid dispersions using both sucrose and mannitol. The in vitro dissolution of etoricoxib from these solid dispersions followed Hixson-Crowell model

Development and Evaluation of Microemulsions for Transdermal Delivery of Insulin

Insulin-loaded microemulsions for transdermal delivery were developed using isopropyl myristate or oleic acid as the oil phase, Tween 80 as the surfactant, and isopropyl alcohol as the cosurfactant. The pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to determine the composition of microemulsions. The insulin permeation flux of microemulsions containing oleic acid as oil phase through excised mouse skin and goat skin was comparatively greater than that of microemulsions containing isopropyl myristate as oil phase. The insulin-loaded microemulsion containing 10% oleic acid, 38% aqueous phase, and 50% surfactant phase with 2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as permeation enhancer showed maximum permeation flux (4.93 ± 0.12 μg/cm2/hour) through goat skin. The in vitro insulin permeation from these microemulsions was found to follow the Korsmeyer-Peppas model (R2 = 0.923 to 0.973) over a period of 24 hours with non-Fickian, “anomalous” mechanism. Together these preliminary data indicate the promise of microemulsions for transdermal delivery of insulin

Antimicrobial activity assessment of time-dependent release bilayer tablets of amoxicillin trihydrate

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de formulações de comprimidos de dupla camada contendo amoxicilina triidratada para liberação tempo dependente e avaliação da liberação in vitro do fármaco pelo ensaio de atividade antimicrobiana utilizando o método de difusão em placa de ágar. Os comprimidos de dupla camada consistem em uma camada para liberação retardada e outra sustentada. O método de compressão direta foi usado para a preparação dos comprimidos de dupla camada contendo Eudragit-L 100 D55 como polímero para liberação retardada e HPMCK4M ou HPMCK15 como polímeros para liberação sustentada. As formulações de comprimidos de dupla camada contendo amoxicilina triidratada foram avaliadas quanto a dureza, espessura, friabilidade, variação de peso e conteúdo de fármaco. Além disso, a liberação do fármaco in vitro foi avaliada por ensaio de atividade antimicrobiana usando S. aureus e E. coli como microrganismos teste. A alíquota das amostras do estudo de liberação do fármaco in vitro demonstrou ser efetiva contra ambos os microrganismos por um período de 16 horas devido à ação sustentada. O estudo de liberação do fármaco in vitro e o ensaio de atividade antimicrobiana mostraram que os comprimidos de dupla camada tiveram um perfil de liberação sustentada do fármaco com um pico de liberação após 2 horas de ensaio. O menor valor de MIC (2 ug/mL) dos comprimidos de dupla camada quando comparados à formulação comercial (5 ug/mL) representa uma boa atividade antimicrobiana.The aim of present study was the assessment of antimicrobial activity of prepared time-dependent release bilayer tablets of amoxicillin trihydrate and in vitro evaluation of drug release by antimicrobial assay using agar plate diffusion method. The bilayer tablets comprised of a delayed and sustained release layer. Direct compression method was used for the preparation of bilayer tablets containing Eudragit-L100 D55 as delayed release polymer, and HPMCK4M and HPMCK15 as sustained release polymers. The prepared bilayer tablets containing amoxicillin trihydrate were evaluated for hardness, thickness, friability, weight variation and drug content. Further, in vitro drug release was assessed by antimicrobial assay using S. aureus and E. coli as test microorganisms. The aliquot samples of in vitro drug release study were found to be effective against both microorganisms for 16 hours due to sustained action. The in vitro drug release study and antimicrobial assay showed that bilayer tablets have sustained release profile of drug delivery with time-dependent burst release after a lag-time of 2 hours. The lower MIC value (2 µg/mL) of prepared bilayer tablets vis-à-vis marketed preparation (5 µg/mL) represented its good antimicrobial activity