RASONAPINDA: A CLINICAL EVALUATION IN MANAGEMENT OF AMAVATA (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS)

Amavata is a very common disorder affecting a much larger population. The disease closely resembles Rheumatoid Arthritis on the basis of clinical manifestations. In the present study, we have considered Rheumatoid Arthritis parallel to Amavata and studied the effect of Rasona Pinda, a traditional Ayurvedic drug. 40 patients of Amavata were selected and randomly divided into two groups A and B. Group A was trial group and Group B was control group. Group A received Rasona Pinda and group B as control group received Indomethacin orally, duration of treatment for both the groups was 45 days with a follow up on every 15th day. The drug was selected as it is described in Chakradatta Amavatadhikara and also owing to its properties. Results were assessed according to a specially prepared grading system for pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, general functional capacity, walking time, grip power, pressing power, etc and changes observed in laboratory profile. Significant improvement was seen in symptoms in group A, and on comparing the results in the two groups it was found that the difference was highly significant with improvement in almost all the symptoms in group A. and also, it was found that the drug was free of side effects and showed improvement in the general health of the patient. The study suggests that Rasona Pinda can be a reliable alternative in the management of Amavata.&nbsp

Transformed ROIs for Capturing Visual Transformations in Videos

Modeling the visual changes that an action brings to a scene is critical for video understanding. Currently, CNNs process one local neighbourhood at a time, thus contextual relationships over longer ranges, while still learnable, are indirect. We present TROI, a plug-and-play module for CNNs to reason between mid-level feature representations that are otherwise separated in space and time. The module relates localized visual entities such as hands and interacting objects and transforms their corresponding regions of interest directly in the feature maps of convolutional layers. With TROI, we achieve state-of-the-art action recognition results on the large-scale datasets Something-Something-V2 and EPIC-Kitchens-100.Comment: CVIU 2022 - Computer Vision and Image Understandin

Maximizing Success Rate of Payment Routing using Non-stationary Bandits

This paper discusses the system architecture design and deployment of non-stationary multi-armed bandit approaches to determine a near-optimal payment routing policy based on the recent history of transactions. We propose a Routing Service architecture using a novel Ray-based implementation for optimally scaling bandit-based payment routing to over 10000 transactions per second, adhering to the system design requirements and ecosystem constraints with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). We first evaluate the effectiveness of multiple bandit-based payment routing algorithms on a custom simulator to benchmark multiple non-stationary bandit approaches and identify the best hyperparameters. We then conducted live experiments on the payment transaction system on a fantasy sports platform Dream11. In the live experiments, we demonstrated that our non-stationary bandit-based algorithm consistently improves the success rate of transactions by 0.92\% compared to the traditional rule-based methods over one month.Comment: 7 Pages, 6 Figure

\tau Polarization asymmetry in B→Xsτ+τ−B \to X_s \tau^+ \tau^- in SUSY models with large tanβtan\beta

Rare B decays provides an opportunity to probe for new physics beyond the standard model. the effective Hamiltonian for the decay $b \to s l^+ l^-$ predicts the characteristic polarization for the final state lepton. Lepton polarization has, in addition to a longitudinal component $P_L$, two orthogonal components $P_T$ and $P_N$ lying in and perpendicular to the decay plane. In this article we perform a study of the $\tau$-polarisation asymmetry in the case of SUSY models with large $\tan\beta$ in the inclusive decay $B \to X_s \tau^+ \tau^-$.Comment: RevTex file, 15 pages (including 6 ps figures). accepted version in Phys. Rev.

Longitudinal Polarization in KL→μ+μ−K_L \to \mu^+ \mu^- in MSSM with large tanβtan\beta

A complete experiment on decay $K_L \to l^+ l^-$ will not only consist of measurement of the decay rates but also lepton polarization etc. These additional observations will yield tests of CP invariance in these decays. In $K_L$ and $K_S$ decays, the e mode is slower than the $\mu$ mode by roughly $(m_e/m_\mu)^2$ \cite{sehgal1}. As well discussed in literature \cite{herczeg} the Standard Model contribution to the lepton polarization is of order $2 \times \sim 10^{-3}$. We show that in MSSM with large \tanbeta and light higgs masses ($\sim 2 M_W$), the longitudinal lepton polarization in $K_L \to \mu^+ \mu^-$ can be enhanced to a higher value, of about $10^{-2}$.Comment: version appeared in Physics Letters B, minor correction

Unitarity constraints on the stabilized Randall-Sundrum scenario

Recently proposed stabilization mechanism of the Randall-Sundrum metric gives rise to a scalar radion, which couples universally to matter with a weak interaction ($\simeq 1$ TeV) scale. Demanding that gauge boson scattering as described by the effective low enerrgy theory be unitary upto a given scale leads to significant constraints on the mass of such a radion.Comment: 10 page Latex 2e file including 4 postscript figures. Accepted in Journal of Physics

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570