Hidden Markov model technique for dynamic spectrum access

Dynamic spectrum access is a paradigm used to access the spectrum dynamically. A hidden Markov model (HMM) is one in which you observe a sequence of emissions, but do not know the sequence of states the model went through to generate the emissions. Analysis of hidden Markov models seeks to recover the sequence of states from the observed data. In this paper, we estimate the occupancy state of channels using hidden Markov process. Using Viterbi algorithm, we generate the most likely states and compare it with the channel states. We generated two HMMs, one slowly changing and another more dynamic and compare their performance. Using the Baum-Welch algorithm and maximum likelihood algorithm we calculated the estimated transition and emission matrix, and then we compare the estimated states prediction performance of both the methods using stationary distribution of average estimated transition matrix calculated by both the methods

Effectiveness of mindfulness based mental fitness training: an impact evaluation study

Background: Mindfulness-based mental fitness training (MBMFT) based on Vipassana is a secular, non-religious method found to be useful in reducing stress, anxiety and depression in a variety of population. Studies have revealed that an increasing percentage of population experiences high stress. The present study was conducted to evaluate impact of a mindfulness-based mental fitness training (MBMFT) programme on levels of stress and resilience among students of school in an industrial establishment.  Methods: Sixty nine students aged 18-20 years of an industrial establishment who volunteered and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, group I (n=35) were given 8 weeks of Mindfulness-Based Mental Fitness Training, and group II (n=34) followed the normal curricula of the school. Questionnaires were completed on psychological well-being and mindfulness by the participants initially and after 08 weeks.Results: The students who underwent MBMFT (group-I) had significantly (p<0.05) higher FFMQ scores at 08 weeks (130.10±9.69) as compared to baseline scores (122.55±12.7) and scores of the group II (117.95±10.1). Group I students also had lower perceived stress scores at the end of 08 weeks of MBMFT. Personal resilience was assessed only for Group-I using Personal Resilience Questionnaire (PRQ). The PRQ score increased significantly (p= 0.000) from mean baseline score of 157.76±10.14 to 166.31±13.01 at the end of 8 weeks.Conclusions: Mindfulness based Mental Fitness Training is an effective method which can be used to enhance the ability of personnel to combat stress. Future large scale multi centric research is required to further validate the effectiveness of MBMFT and to assess feasibility of inclusion of MBMFT as regular aspect in training institutions.

SYNTHESIS OF COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES BY CHEMICAL PRECIPITATION METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS SP. AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS SP.

Objective: To determine antimicrobial efficacy of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) against Streptococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Methods: CuO NPs were synthesized using chemical precipitation method. The reducing agent, 0.1 M NaOH, was used along with 100 mM CuSO4 precursor for the synthesis of CuO NPs. The characterization of CuO NPs was done by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study optical and morphological characteristics, correspondingly. The identification of bacterial cultures was done through microscopic and biochemical studies. Antibacterial efficacy of CuO NPs was determined against Streptococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. by qualitative and quantitative methods through anti-well diffusion assay and broth dilution method, respectively. Results: The absorption spectrum and band gap were found to be at 260 nm and 4.77 eV, respectively. The SEM image of CuO NPs shows cluster of nanostructures having width of individual clusters in the range of 100 nm–500 nm. CuO NPs showed inhibition at a concentration ranging from 60 μg/mL to 1000 μg/mL. Conclusion: Finally, CuO NPs can be used as effective antibacterial agent against Streptococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. and may have applications in medical microbiology

A Study to Evaluate The Prevalence of Morbidity in Covid 19 and Vaccination Status Among Patients Admitted in A Tertiary Care Institute, Puducherry

COVID-19 is a mild to moderate illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, however it can cause life-threatening consequences in some cases. The study looks at how a COVID-19 immunization campaign in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry reduced incidence, hospitalizations, and mortality. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of covid vaccination and its morbidities among covid 19 patients, as well as to determine the relationship between covid vaccination and morbidity prevalence among covid 19 patients. For this study, a descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. This study includes individuals aged 20 to 60 years who have been diagnosed with Covid -19 of all cycles and post-Covid patients with cardio-respiratory problems.&nbsp; Approximately 67.6% of those vaccinated had no comorbidities, 26.3% had Diabetes, 16.7% had Hypertension, 0.8% had Hypothroidism, and 0.4% had Epilepsy. In terms of Oxygen Support, nearly half of the patients (44%) required it, whereas less than 5% (4.4%) required mechanical ventilation. More than three-quarters of the patients (85.3%) were cured when they were discharged. Nearly half of the patients (50% had a CORADS score of 6). The majority of patients (38.7%) had a CT Severity Score of 9-15. The value of biophysiological variables increased by 20-25%. The mortality rate among vaccinated patients is 8 (10.7) and 101 (15.2), respectively. In conclusion, getting vaccinated can limit viral transmissions and prevent the virus from evolving into new types that can be lethal

Mechanistic insights of key host proteins and potential repurposed inhibitors regulating SARS-CoV-2 pathway

The emergence of pandemic situations originated from SARS-CoV-2 and its new variants created worldwide medical emergencies. Due to the non-availability of efficient drugs and vaccines, hundreds of thousands of people succumbed to death intoxicated by this virus. At these emergency hours, repurposing existing drugs can effectively treat patients critically infected by SARS-CoV-2. Using a high-throughput screening approach, we validated a list of potential repurposed drugs, like Nafamostat, Camostat, Silmitasertib, Valproic acid, Zotatifin, and essential host target proteins HDAC2, eIF4E2, CSK22, that are essential for viral mechanism. We determined multiple dissociation pathways of repurposed drugs, suggesting the availability of sub pockets within the host target proteins. We showed the preferential residues involved in the (un)binding kinetics of the ligands correlated to the underlying mechanism of the host protein activity. Interestingly, the residues we obtained for HDAC2 and CSK22 target proteins, which we highlighted, are also involved in the catalytic activity. The mechanistic insight presented in this work is envisaged to help use these key host proteins and potential repurposed drugs as a treatment for the SARS-CoV-2 virus

Fabrication of Conductive Polyurethane by using Silica Nanoparticles

Plastic is a type of organic polymer material that can be shaped or molded as per the required applications. They are characterized by resistance to corrosion, electrical conductivity, malleability, colors, transparency, durability, and cost. One of the important parameter is electrical conductivity of plastic to weight ratio. By adding additives to plastics the electrical properties are manipulated as per application. This work reports the development of conducting polyurethane for electronic applications It includes synthesis of silica nanoparticles using sol-gel process and its characterization using microscopic, spectroscopic results and conductivity results

Determination of Antagonistic Effect of CuO NPs against Bacterial Cultures

Bacterial cultures are capable of causing infections to the humans. These bacteria can be killed or inhibited by special compounds called antibacterial agents. These compounds are generally not toxic to humans as most of the compounds are obtained from natural sources, such as, b-lactams (like penicillins), cephalosporins. Overuse of traditional antibacterial drugs, resistance may develop by bacterial cells, which ultimately leads to pose greatest health challenges by occurrence of infectious diseases. Therefore, development of non-resistance alternative antibacterial agents for better antibacterial efficacy is mandatory. This paper reports on the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles carried out by chemical precipitation method and explored its antibacterial efficacy against hospital borne bacterial infections. Copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by solvothermal route. The screening of antimicrobial activity of copper oxide nanoparticles was studied on the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus NCIM 2079 and Bacillus cereus NCIM 5293 by Anti Well Diffusion Assay (AWDA) on nutrient agar (NA) medium. It was evident that the Staphylococcus aureus was more sensitive for CuO NPs compared to Bacillus cereus. The synthesized CuO-NPs showed remarkable antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. Minimum Inhibitory (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of CuO-NPs were determined by calculating concentration dependent colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) on agar plate.&nbsp;To synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles carried out by chemical precipitation method and explored its antibacterial efficacy against hospital borne bacterial infections

Realization of electrochemically grown a-Fe2O3 thin films for photoelectrochemical water splitting application

Hematite ferric oxide (a-Fe2O3) based photoanode has emerged as a potential candidate for water splitting application due to the high absorption coefficient in the visible region and favorable band alignment. In the present work, a-Fe2O3 thin film photoanodes were fabricated using a cost-effective and straightforward electrodeposition technique. The crystal structure, phase purity, elemental composition, and formation of a-Fe2O3 were confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bandgap calculated from the absorption spectrum from UV-visible analysis of a-Fe2O3 exhibits significant absorption in the visible region. The a-Fe2O3 photoanodes were further characterized for their photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties along with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Furthermore, XRD, SEM, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy investigations were performed after photoelectrochemical measurement to ensure the stability of photoanodes. Also, the prepared photoanode is highly stable against a large range of pH conditions, and no photobleaching was observed for up to 30 min. Furthermore, a significant enhancement in photocurrent conversion efficiency with optimum film thickness was observed upon light illumination. A maximum photon conversion efficiency of 1.44 % was obtained with a photocurrent density of 6.25 mA/cm2 for 1 V vs. SCE under simulated solar light