A probabilistic approach to reduce the route establishment overhead in AODV algorithm for manet

Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETS) is a collection of wireless nodes without any infrastructure support. The nodes in MANET can act as either router or source and the control of the network is distributed among nodes. The nodes in MANETS are highly mobile and it maintains dynamic interconnection between those mobile nodes. MANTEs have been considered as isolated stand-alone network. This can turn the dream of networking "at any time and at any where" into reality. The main purpose of this paper is to study the issues in route discovery process in AODV protocol for MANET. Flooding of route request message imposes major concern in route establishment. This paper suggests a new approach to reduce the routing overhead during the route discovery phase. By considering the previous behaviour of the network, the new protocol reduces the unwanted searches during route establishment processComment: International Journal of Distributed and Parallel Systems (IJDPS) Vol.3, No.2, March 201

A prospective, open label, randomized study of efficacy of vitamin A as an add on therapy in the clinical outcome of tuberculosis patients

Background: Tuberculosis is the most prevalent infectious disease in the world. India accounts for nearly one fifth of global incidence of tuberculosis. If untreated the disease may be fatal within five years in 50-65 percent of cases. Many decades of research have shown that severe oxidative stress plays a significant role in tuberculosis patients. Moreover, the malnutrition which is commonly present in patient with tuberculosis can add to the impaired anti oxidant capacity. The present study was to investigate the effect of supplementation of vitamin A with standard treatment on the health status of newly diagnosed sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients.Methods: Phase III, prospective, open, two arm parallel group, outpatient, randomized, active controlled study. Centre of the study was Tuberculosis clinic, Department of Internal medicine, Stanley Medical College Chennai.Duration of the study was for active drug therapy - 2 months, for follow up period - 4 months and for total period - 6 months.Results: In our study it was evident that there was a statistically significant improvement in the Karnofsky’s score, body mass index, mid upper arm circumference in the in the vitamin A supplementation group when compared to the control group at the end of 2 months and 6 months. And also, a statistically significant decrease in C.R.P. levels and E.S.R levels were also observed.Conclusions: This study shows that vitamin A as an add on therapy with regular anti-tuberculosis treatment improves the quality of life and decreases the disease activity in pulmonary tuberculosis patients to a greater extent than with routine standard drug therapy alone

A prospective open label study of efficacy and tolerability of topical tacrolimus in Vitiligo

Background: Vitiligo is a cosmetically and psychologically devastating clinical conundrum with various hypotheses of etiology inclusive of an immunological one too. Long term clinical visits, various adverse effects and cost of therapy are the major limitations of current treatment of vitiligo. Topical Tacrolimus which has been tried and found useful in various skin conditions with immunological basis was evaluated for its efficacy and tolerability compared with the available standard treatment of Topical Betamethasone.Methods: The study was done in the outpatient unit of Department of Dermatology, Stanley medical college, for duration of six months. Newly diagnosed vitiligo patients attending the outpatient clinic were taken for the study. A randomised, open labelled, comparative study of efficacy and tolerability of Topical Tacrolimus in vitiligo was done.Results: Early onset of repigmentation, higher mean repigmentation with no significant side effects systemically or topically were observed in the study group compared to the control group.Conclusions: This study shows that Topical Tacrolimus produces rapid and significant repigmentation with less significant side effects in vitiligo. Topical Tacrolimus is more efficacious and better tolerated than available standard Topical Betamethasone

Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in African American Individuals

Objective. To examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a group of African American individuals. Design. A nonrandom sample of 253 (age 43.7 ± 11.6 years; 37% male) African American individuals was recruited by advertisements. Data were obtained by validated questionnaires, anthropometric, blood pressure, and blood sample measurements. Results. Regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between depressive symptoms and CVD risk factors controlling for socioeconomic status indicators. These analyses demonstrated that those with higher levels of depressive symptoms had larger waist-to-hip ratios, higher percent body fat, higher triglycerides, and were more likely to be smokers. Conclusions. It has been well documented that higher levels of depressive symptoms are associated with higher CVD risk. However, this evidence is derived primarily from samples of predominantly Caucasian individuals. The present investigation demonstrates that depressive symptoms are related to CVD risk factors in African American individuals

Taxonomy and Distribution of Scleria foliosa (Cyperaceae) in Kerala, India

Scleria foliosa (Cyperaceae) an interesting sedge species is reported here as a new record for Kerala. Detailed description with photographs and relevant notes on distribution are provided for easy identification

Role of Keystone Species in Aquatic Ecosystem

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. Such species play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organism s in an ecosystem and helping to determine the types and numbers of various other species in the community

Formulation and Evaluation of Topically Retained Hydrogels Loaded with Timolol Maleate Microspheres for Extended Release in Treating Glaucoma

Conventional aqueous eye drop formulations have a shorter retention period and wash out of the precorneal region more easily. In this study, biodegradable microsphere-loaded hydrogels were developed to extend the time of residence and improve the drug bioavailability. The prepared microspheres were fabricated using PLGA as the biodegradable polymer and PVA as the surfactant. Hydrogels were prepared using Carbopol 940 and Gellan gum as gelling agents. Methods: The microspheres were created through a technique known as double emulsion solvent evaporation method. Evaluation included for its percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, particle size and surface morphology of the prepared microspheres. Timolol Maleate microsphere loaded hydrogel underwent assessments for pH, spreadability, rheological behaviour, sterility, antimicrobial efficacy, in vitro release studies, drug release kinetics and ocular irritation. Results: FTIR analysis confirmed compatibility between the drug and polymer. SEM observations indicated spherical microspheres with sizes ranging from 1 to 12 µm, suitable for ocular application. All formulations exhibited pH values between 4.2 and 5.0, with gelation occurring at 35°C to 38°C. Formulation F3 demonstrated optimal viscosity (1486 – 1850 cps) and good spreadability. Sterility tests were successful, and F3 displayed a drug release of 82.6% after 24 hours. Antimicrobial studies exhibited inhibition zones, and ocular tests on rabbits revealed no irritation. Stability analysis indicated no significant changes in pH or clarity. Conclusion: Based on physiological, rheological, and in vitro evaluations F3 was identified as the most suitable formulation for extended Timolol Maleate release via hydrogel, holding promise for effective glaucoma treatment

A Zigbee Garbage Bin Monitoring system with IoT

One of the critical responsibilities in ensuring a clean and pollution-free society is maintaining garbage disposal. Damage to the environment and human health results from improper garbage maintenance and disposal. However, it can be seen that garbage bins in several places including cities are left to overflow on streets. With the development of IoT, this scenario can be improved by providing screening of the status of trash bins. A Bin Level Monitoring Unit (BLMU) consists of the end sensor with the bin. The filled status of the garbage bin is detected and sent to a Wireless Access Point Unit (WAPU). The ZIGBEE devices are used to communicate each local device to a master IoT device which is placed in each area. This helps connect multiple devices to connect to a network and access the IoT module. The bin is accessed by the public and municipality by their RFID tags. There is an automatic locking system in case of the bin is full or is detected with poisonous gas. The bin can then be opened only by the municipality with their tag