Magnifying Lens Abstraction for Stochastic Games with Discounted and Long-run Average Objectives

Turn-based stochastic games and its important subclass Markov decision processes (MDPs) provide models for systems with both probabilistic and nondeterministic behaviors. We consider turn-based stochastic games with two classical quantitative objectives: discounted-sum and long-run average objectives. The game models and the quantitative objectives are widely used in probabilistic verification, planning, optimal inventory control, network protocol and performance analysis. Games and MDPs that model realistic systems often have very large state spaces, and probabilistic abstraction techniques are necessary to handle the state-space explosion. The commonly used full-abstraction techniques do not yield space-savings for systems that have many states with similar value, but does not necessarily have similar transition structure. A semi-abstraction technique, namely Magnifying-lens abstractions (MLA), that clusters states based on value only, disregarding differences in their transition relation was proposed for qualitative objectives (reachability and safety objectives). In this paper we extend the MLA technique to solve stochastic games with discounted-sum and long-run average objectives. We present the MLA technique based abstraction-refinement algorithm for stochastic games and MDPs with discounted-sum objectives. For long-run average objectives, our solution works for all MDPs and a sub-class of stochastic games where every state has the same value

Privacy-Preserving in Cloud Computing with Security-as-a-Service

Cloud computing is on-demand delivery of data and IT resources in which applications are rapidly provisioned as standardized offerings to users over the web. In the recent years Cloud Computing has grown significantly, it became an important area of research and one of the vital areas in the redevelopment of the infrastructure of information technology. Cloud Computing has been classified into several models based on the type of service provided to customers. Cloud Computing has many benefits, as well as, it has many challenges and concerns such as: security, privacy, data integrity and other problems that make users and organizations fear to dealing with it. The main problem in Cloud Computing is the security of data. The proposed work focuses on secure data transfer by using different combination of mechanisms which not only ensure multi tier authenticities but also maintain the confidentiality of data and integrity of message in terms of authenticity, confidentiality and integrity of data. The proposed system aims to store data in a secure and safe way in order to avoid intrusions and attacks. Also, it will reduce the cost and time to store the encrypted data in the Cloud Computing. In this paper, ECC encryption and decryption algorithm has been proposed to maintain the confidentiality of data in transfer. The same algorithm is implemented in cloud architecture and is compared with the conventional RSA algorithm

Detailed epidemiological analysis of cerebrovascular disease, the first study from Eastern India

Background: Prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) is rising in India along with its morbid impact. Till now there is no study from Eastern India to reflect the current scenario of cerebrovascular diseases in this part of world. This study destined to know and analyse several epidemiologic factors behind cerebrovascular diseases in Eastern India.Methods: 108 patients who were admitted with symptoms of stroke were analysed based on several parameters. They were investigated, treated and their outcomes were followed.Results: Correlation between clinical findings and radiological confirmation was much more in case of infarction (65%) compared to haemorrhagic cases (22%). Superior division of the middle cerebral artery was the commonest site get involved in infarction cases and internal capsule area is the most commonly involved area in lacunar infarction almost one third of haemorrhagic patients had intraventricular extension. Most common association with this was thalamic bleeding although most common site of haemorrhage was lentiform nucleus. Among the patients with hemorrhage with intraventricular extension 50% were thalamic bleed and 50% were non thalamic bleed (mainly lentiform nucleus). In hospital mortality rate was found to be highest in non-thalamic group (63%). Overall mortality in non-thalamic bleed was higher though not statistically significant.Conclusions: Haemorrhagic CVD is much more prevalent in this part of world compared to western population. Clinico radiologic correlation is much more in ischaemic infarction hypertension and smoking are two strong associations in cerebrovascular diseases.

Sure Shot Technique for Management of Ranula

Introduction Ranula is a pseudocyst in the floor of the mouth originating from the sublingual salivary gland.A variety of surgical procedures have been quoted in the literature. But the main concern is high rate of recurrence. Aim of the present study is to describe a definitive technique for managing ranula and compare the result with review of literature. Materials and Methods A prospective study was done in the department of ENT in a tertiary care hospital of West Bengal from 1st April, 2014 to 31st March, 2019. Patients presenting with ranula irrespective of age and sex; size of the mass; whether primary or recurrent case were included in the study. Patients presenting with congenital and plunging ranula were excluded. Patients were treated with total excision of ranula along with sublingual salivary gland. Patients were followed up regularly for at least one year post-operatively. Results We treated thirteen primary and four recurrent cases of ranula. Among them eight were male and nine were female. Patients were from seven to thirty three years of age with most being in the second decade of life. There was no injury to lingual nerve or submandibular duct in any patient. We did not observe any recurrence till date. Conclusion Successful management of a ranula includes identification of the extent of the cyst and removal of the cyst along with the sublingual salivary gland.  When done meticulously, this technique gives 100% success without any complication

Assessment of coronary slow flow and its implications

Background: CAG is seen as the gold standard for the diagnosis of epicardial coronary artery disease. The clinical significance of coronary microvascular dysfunction has not been given much attention as epicardial coronary artery disease. Coronary slow flow phenomenon is another independent entity which is less studied and treatment plan and prognosis are not yet established. The objective of this study was to provide better understanding about the presence and pathophysiologic significance of coronary slow flow phenomena in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) for various indications by corrected TIMI frame count (CFTC) in vessels without any flow limiting disease.Methods: We measured CTFC in patients enrolled for CAG. We compared CTFC among different presentations and in different arteries. We also compared coronary slow flow phenomenon to normal flow in coronaries and its correlation to risk factorsResults: We found that coronary flow was significantly slower in non-infarct related arteries (NIRA) in the setting of ST segment elevation myocardial infraction (STEMI) and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infraction (NSTEMI) with no obstructive epicardial lesion as compared to coronary flow in absence of acute myocardial infraction (AMI). Significant slow flow was present in NIRA in STEMI compared to NSTEMI. Similarly slow flow was noted in unstable angina compared to chronic stable angina patients. Predominantly involved vessel was left anterior descending artery (LAD).Conclusions: Coronary flow was slower in NIRA in the setting of STEMI and NSTEMI with no obstructive epicardial lesion as compared to coronary flow in absence of AMI

Second-order topological superconductor via noncollinear magnetic texture

We put forth a theoretical framework for engineering a two-dimensional (2D) second-order topological superconductor (SOTSC) by utilizing a heterostructure: incorporating noncollinear magnetic textures between an s-wave superconductor and a 2D quantum spin Hall insulator. It stabilizes the higher order topological superconducting phase, resulting in Majorana corner modes (MCMs) at four corners of a 2D domain. The calculated non-zero quadrupole moment characterizes the bulk topology. Subsequently, through a unitary transformation, an effective low-energy Hamiltonian reveals the effects of magnetic textures, resulting in an effective in-plane Zeeman field and spin-orbit coupling. This approach provides a qualitative depiction of the topological phase, substantiated by numerical validation within exact real-space model. Analytically calculated effective pairings in the bulk illuminate the microscopic behavior of the SOTSC. The comprehension of MCM emergence is aided by a low-energy edge theory, which is attributed to the interplay between effective pairings of (px + py )-type and (px + ipy )-type. Our extensive study paves the way for practically attaining the SOTSC phase by integrating noncollinear magnetic textures

Zaciskające zapalenie osierdzia imitujące ciężką restenozę zastawki mitralnej u chorego po leczeniu chirurgicznym choroby reumatycznej serca

Pericardial constriction is a rare, but well documented complication following cardiac surgery. It has been reported following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), cardiac surgery for congenital heart diseases and very rarely following closed mitral commissurotomy. We hereby report a case of chronic constrictive pericarditis following closed mitral commissurotomy mimicking mitral restenosis with refractory heart failure

All Cartilage No Stitch Type 1 Tympanoplasty – A Prospective Study

Introduction Although temporalis fascia is the commonly used graft material for tympanoplasty, cartilage has become the material of choice in cases with eustachian tube dysfunction, bilateral disease, total or anterior perforation of tympanic membrane, tympanosclerosis etc. Cartilage slices < 0.5 mm thick are similar to the tympanic membrane in their acoustic properties. The present study is aimed to describe stitch-less type 1 tympanoplasty with sliced tragal cartilage-perichondrium and evaluate anatomical, audiological and cosmetic outcomes. Materials and Methods A prospective study was conducted from March 2014 to August 2016, in ENT department of a Government Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India. Primary tympanoplasty cases irrespective of age, size and site of perforation, laterality and eustachian tube function were included in the study. History of previous tympanoplasty or mastoid surgery and cases requiring ossicular reconstruction or mastoidectomy were excluded from the study. Sliced tragal cartilage-perichondrium graft of 0.2 mm thickness was placed in underlay fashion through trans-canal or end-aural route. Results Among 95 cases 38 were male, 57 were female with age range between 7 to 68 years. Average operative time was 30 minutes. Graft take was successful in 97.89% of cases. Average Air Bone Gap 12 months after operation was 13.03dB. Conclusion Sliced cartilage-perichondrium graft gives good balance between sufficient stability and adequate acoustic sensitivity. Moreover, no stitch technique reduces operative time and increases cosmesis

Human protein reference database—2006 update

Human Protein Reference Database (HPRD) () was developed to serve as a comprehensive collection of protein features, post-translational modifications (PTMs) and protein–protein interactions. Since the original report, this database has increased to >20 000 proteins entries and has become the largest database for literature-derived protein–protein interactions (>30 000) and PTMs (>8000) for human proteins. We have also introduced several new features in HPRD including: (i) protein isoforms, (ii) enhanced search options, (iii) linking of pathway annotations and (iv) integration of a novel browser, GenProt Viewer (), developed by us that allows integration of genomic and proteomic information. With the continued support and active participation by the biomedical community, we expect HPRD to become a unique source of curated information for the human proteome and spur biomedical discoveries based on integration of genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data

MUSiC : a model-unspecific search for new physics in proton-proton collisions at root s=13TeV

Results of the Model Unspecific Search in CMS (MUSiC), using proton-proton collision data recorded at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1), are presented. The MUSiC analysis searches for anomalies that could be signatures of physics beyond the standard model. The analysis is based on the comparison of observed data with the standard model prediction, as determined from simulation, in several hundred final states and multiple kinematic distributions. Events containing at least one electron or muon are classified based on their final state topology, and an automated search algorithm surveys the observed data for deviations from the prediction. The sensitivity of the search is validated using multiple methods. No significant deviations from the predictions have been observed. For a wide range of final state topologies, agreement is found between the data and the standard model simulation. This analysis complements dedicated search analyses by significantly expanding the range of final states covered using a model independent approach with the largest data set to date to probe phase space regions beyond the reach of previous general searches.Peer reviewe