On Distributed Power Control for Uncoordinated Dual Energy Harvesting Links: Performance Bounds and Near-Optimal Policies

In this paper, we consider a point-to-point link between an energy harvesting transmitter and receiver, where neither node has the information about the battery state or energy availability at the other node. We consider a model where data is successfully delivered only in slots where both nodes are active. Energy loss occurs whenever one node turns on while the other node is in sleep mode. In each slot, based on their own energy availability, the transmitter and receiver need to independently decide whether or not to turn on, with the aim of maximizing the long-term time-average throughput. We present an upper bound on the throughput achievable by analyzing a genie-aided system that has noncausal knowledge of the energy arrivals at both the nodes. Next, we propose an online policy requiring an occasional one-bit feedback whose throughput is within one bit of the upper bound, asymptotically in the battery size. In order to further reduce the feedback required, we propose a time-dilated version of the online policy. As the time dilation gets large, this policy does not require any feedback and achieves the upper bound asymptotically in the battery size. Inspired by this, we also propose a near-optimal fully uncoordinated policy. We use Monte Carlo simulations to validate our theoretical results and illustrate the performance of the proposed policies.Comment: 8 page

Estimation of Enzymatic Activities of Different Species of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are widely spread saprophytic macro-organisms, belong to class fungi growing on dead organic matter of vegetative origin. They can utilize almost all agricultural wastes as their substrates for their growth and metabolism. During the growth of mushroom mycelia and their development into mature fruiting bodies (or sporophores), various biochemical changes are known to occur, as a result of which enzymes are secreted extracellularly to degrade the insoluble materials to simple and soluble molecules. Consequently, enzymes play a significant role in mushroom development; in addition, they also affect the food and nutrient value, flavour and shelf life of these fungi. Pleurotus spp, Volvariella volvaceae and Ganoderma lucidium are edible tropical fast-growing, wood degrading macro fungi that are of economic importance in India as both the sporophores and tuberous sclerotia are not only edible but also are used in medicinal preparations by native doctors. This work was undertaken to evaluate the enzymatic activities of Pleurotus florida, Pleurotus sajor caju, Vovariella volvaceae and Ganoderma lucidium and the effects of these enzymes on shelf life and food nutrients of these mushrooms

Comparison of efficacy and safety of oral azithromycin and oral doxycycline in acne vulgaris

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit with considerable psychosocial impact. Oral azithromycin or oral doxycycline can be used for the management of moderate and severe acne vulgaris. However, there is no consensus on which antibiotic is superior and the optimal dose for management.Methods: A prospective randomized interventional study was carried out among 120 patients of moderate to severe acne vulgaris. The patients were randomized into group A and B. While group A was prescribed oral azithromycin 500 mg three times a week, group B was given oral doxycycline 100 mg daily for 12 weeks. Topical clindamycin twice daily application was also given. Global Acne Grading Scale (GAGS) score was recorded at baseline and at 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th weeks.Results: GAGS score at baseline in azithromycin (n = 53) and doxycycline (n = 55) group was 31.98±4.49 and 30.63±3.78 respectively (p value >0.05). 83.91±6.83% (p 0.05). 15.09% patients in azithromycin group and 20% patients in doxycycline group reported adverse effects. The most commonly reported adverse effect was diarrhoea. All adverse effects were of ‘mild’ category and causality assessment was ‘possible’.Conclusions: Oral azithromycin is equally efficacious but safer alternative to oral doxycycline for the management of acne vulgaris

A case of symptomatic spinal dural arteriovenous fistula after high-volume lumbar puncture

BACKGROUND: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are rare lesions that lead to venous congestion and ischemic injury resulting in neurologic deterioration. Here we present a patient diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who became symptomatic from a spinal DAVF after a diagnostic high-volume lumbar puncture (LP). CASE DESCRIPTION: When a 72-year-old female developed partial seizures in her left upper extremity without other focal neurological deficits, she underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain. The MRI revealed a right frontal/posterior corpus callosal lesion. She next had a MR-guided high-volume LP. A GBM was diagnosed following a biopsy. Postoperatively, after the LP, she was noted to have bilateral deltoid and bilateral 4/5 lower extremity weakness, with diffuse hyperreflexia. The MRI and magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) of the cervical spine demonstrated a large venous varix at the C5-C6 level within the left neural foramen. She underwent successful complete embolization of two thyrocervical branches with direct communication to an enlarged anterior spinal artery. One month later, her neurological examination returned to baseline; she was walking independently with only 4+/5 residual weakness in her left lower extremity. CONCLUSIONS: Here we report a patient with a cranial GBM and an incidental cervical spinal C5-C6 DAVF that became symptomatic after a high-volume LP. It is possible that the high-volume LP increased vascular congestion, thus precipitating the onset of cervical myelopathy