Study of Energy Efficient Clustering Algorithms for Wireless Sensor Network

Energy utilization and network life time are key issues in design of routing protocols for Wireless sensor network. Many algorithms have been proposed for reducing energy consumption and to increase network life time of the WSN. Clustering algorithms have gained popularity in this field, because of their approach in cluster head selection and data aggregation. LEACH (distributed) is the first clustering routing protocol which is proven to be better compared to other such algorithms. TL-LEACH is one of the descendants of LEACH that saves better the energy consumption by building a two-level hierarchy. It uses random rotation of local cluster base stations to better distribute the energy load among the sensors in the network especially when the density of network is higher. As the clusters are adaptive in LEACH and TL-LEACH, poor clustering set-up during a round will affect overall performance. However, using a central control scheme for cluster set-up may produce better clusters by distributing the cluster head nodes throughout the network. LEACH-C is another modification to LEACH that realizes the above idea and provides better results through uniform distribution of cluster heads avoiding redundant creation of cluster heads in a small area. In our project, we propose a centralized multilevel scheme called CML-LEACH for energy efficient clustering that assumes random distribution of sensor nodes which are not mobile. The proposed scheme merges the idea of multilevel hierarchy, with that of the central control algorithm providing uniform distribution of cluster heads throughout the network, better distribution of load among the sensors and improved packet aggregation. This scheme reduces energy consumption and prolongs network life time significantly as compared to LEACH, TL-LEACH and LEACH-C. The simulation results show comparisons of our scheme with the existing LEACH, TL-LEACH and LEACH-C protocols against chosen performance metrics, using Omnet++

A Systematic Review on Sleep Related Disorders and Periodontal Disease

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis has been implicated in many systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, Obesity, Kidney disorders. Recent scientific evidence has revealed a relationship between sleep related breathing disorders (SRBDs) and periodontal diseases. There has been a recent scientific evidence on population based studies reflecting an association between periodontal diseases and OSA.  AIM: The tenet of the study was to find out interconnect between obstructive sleep apnea and periodontal disease. METHODS: A systematic review of clinical trials assessing the relationship between OSA and periodontitis was carried out. An electronic search based on internet search sites (From 2000-2016) by PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Google scholar, CINAHL, and Web of Science (WoS) were used. Studies which met the inclusion criteria were further analysed to find out the outcome of the study. RESULTS:  A total of 174 potentially qualifying studies were screened. Out of them 10 studies  fulfilled the inclusion criteria which were further analysed. In our study 10 studies (2000-2016) from Jordan, Tokyo, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India, USA, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia were shortlisted. Out of them 5 were cross sectional studies, 4 were case control, and 1 was meta-analysis. The sample size in the studies ranged from 66 to 30,120 adult falling in age range of 18 to 75.  The indicators for OSA used were as positive Epsworth sleepiness scale (ESS), Berlin Questionnaire, STOP-bang questionnaire, Apnea-Hypopnea index, Polysomnography (PSG). And the indicators for periodontal disease were Plaque index (PI), Clinical attachment level (CAL), Pocket Probing Depth (PPD), Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI). Majority of studies showed positive correlation between OSA and periodontal disease. CONCLUSION: Recent evidence and literature suggests that there exist a strong  interconnect between OSA and periodontal disease. Dentist play a pivotal role in diagnosis and timely management of OSA cases so as to halt progression of sleep apnea and periodontitis

Profile of astigmatism in school going children at state level hospital in Uttarakhand

Background: Astigmatism is a clinically important condition and accounts for about 13% of the refractive errors of the eye. Its prevalence has been reported to vary with ethnicity, age, and sex. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of astigmatism in school going children and compared with similar studies in India and Asian countries.Methods: This was prospective cross – sectional hospital based study. The children aged between 5-13 years of age attending the eye OPD during the period of one year, were screened for visual acuity. Those with visual acuity <20/40 were selected for detailed ocular examination. Statistical analysis was done by (IBM SPSS version 23) percentage and chi square test.Results: Of the total 409 children, astigmatism was found to be present in 222 (54.27%) cases, of which 109 (49.09%) were males and 113 (50.90%) were females, With the Rule astigmatism was present in 188 (84.69%), Against The Rule astigmatism was present in 34 (15.32%) of cases.Conclusions: Our present study showed that the single most common refractive error in primary school age children was astigmatism and emphasizes the need for more effective and regular school screening programmes

A hospital-based cross-sectional study on congenital anomalies in newborn babies of Uttarakhand

Background: Congenital anomalies make an important contribution to infant mortality. They remain a leading cause of death in many countries of the world. The prevalence and pattern of presentation vary from place to place. Objective: The aims and objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of congenital abnormalities among babies (inborn and outborn) admitted at the Himalayan Hospital, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in a Medical College Hospital in Uttarakhand. The case files of these babies were retrieved from the hospital records department and examined individually by the investigators. Data collection was done with structured forms designed for the study. Result: Among total 2242 neonates included in the study, the prevalence of congenital malformations was 8.3%. Central nervous system and cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and genitourinary systems were found to be most commonly involved. Conclusion: The present study provides us an idea regarding prevalence of cases of congenital malformations and factors affecting it. In Indian environment, this study helps us to know the pattern of congenital malformation in this part of the country

Does management of working capital enhance firm value? Empirical analysis of manufacturing enterprises in India

The long-term financial health of a corporation is assessed by its capacity to meet short-term financial commitments. Optimum working capital that maximizes enterprise value varies across companies. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Indian manufacturing enterprises’ firm values are influenced by working capital management efficiency. The data are taken from 2016 to 2022 (a seven-year period) for 223 top BSE-listed manufacturing companies. Firm value (explained variable) is proxied using Tobin’s Q, and the constituents of working capital, which include the net trade cycle, inventory period, debtors’ collection period, and creditor payment period, are taken as explanatory variables. The study also controls for any differences in firm characteristics and economic conditions by employing firm size, age, current ratio, net profit ratio, sale growth and GDP growth rate. Balanced-panel data analysis is conducted by employing a two-step generalized method of moment technique. Net trade cycle, inventory period and debtors’ collection period are found to have a strong and significant positive impact on Tobin’s Q. The findings however did not report any evidence of the significant relationship between creditor payment period and Tobin’s Q. Additionally, the outcomes also evidenced that firm value is positively impacted by company size, net profit ratio, sales growth and GDP, whereas negatively affected by firm age. This paper suggests that manufacturing firms may potentially enhance their firm value by prolonging the net trade cycle, period of inventory and lengthening the credit period to customers till the level of attainment of an optimum working capital

Role of levonorgestrel releasing intra-uterine system in the treatment of menorrhagia due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding and fibroid uterus

Background: This study was carried out to assess the clinical effectiveness of levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUS) in the treatment of menorrhagia due to either Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB) or fibroid in Indian patients, and to assess patient satisfaction with this treatment modality.  Methods: Sixty women with menorrhagia, 30 due to fibroid and 30 due to DUB, meeting inclusion criteria, received LNG-IUS and were prospectively followed up for 9 months with periodic clinical assessments and transvaginal ultrasounds. Patient satisfaction was assessed on a five-point scale.Results: One patient in DUB group was lost to follow-up. In DUB patients, the treatment failure rate was only 3.4% (1 out of 29 patients). The median PBAC score reduced by 95% at 9 months. Fibroid patients also had an equally impressive 97.7% reduction of PBAC score at 9 months, although the failure rate was higher (23.3%; 7 out of 30). Majority of patients were either ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the treatment, although this percentage was more in DUB (82.8%) than in the fibroid group (66.7%). Haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels significantly increased in both groups. No major side effect was noted.Conclusions: LNG-IUS is an excellent treatment modality for patients of DUB, with good patient satisfaction. It is also a useful treatment option in non-submucosal small fibroids for the symptoms of menorrhagia, can reduce uterine volume and can help avoid hysterectomy, but there is no effect on fibroid volume. Majority of patients are satisfied, although satisfaction rates are less than in DUB patients

Investigation of DNA damage response and apoptotic gene methylation pattern in sporadic breast tumors using high throughput quantitative DNA methylation analysis technology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background-</p> <p>Sporadic breast cancer like many other cancers is proposed to be a manifestation of abnormal genetic and epigenetic changes. For the past decade our laboratory has identified genes involved in DNA damage response (DDR), apoptosis and immunesurvelliance pathways to influence sporadic breast cancer risk in north Indian population. Further to enhance our knowledge at the epigenetic level, we performed DNA methylation study involving 17 gene promoter regions belonging to DNA damage response (DDR) and death receptor apoptotic pathway in 162 paired normal and cancerous breast tissues from 81 sporadic breast cancer patients, using a high throughput quantitative DNA methylation analysis technology.</p> <p>Results-</p> <p>The study identified five genes with statistically significant difference between normal and tumor tissues. Hypermethylation of <it>DR5 </it>(P = 0.001)<it>, DCR1 </it>(P = 0.00001)<it>, DCR2 </it>(P = 0.0000000005) and <it>BRCA2 </it>(P = 0.007) and hypomethylation of <it>DR4 </it>(P = 0.011) in sporadic breast tumor tissues suggested a weak/aberrant activation of the DDR/apoptotic pathway in breast tumorigenesis. Negative correlation was observed between methylation status and transcript expression levels for <it>TRAIL</it>, <it>DR4</it>, <it>CASP8</it>, <it>ATM</it>, <it>CHEK2</it>, <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>CpG sites. Categorization of the gene methylation with respect to the clinicopathological parameters showed an increase in aberrant methylation pattern in advanced tumors. These uncharacteristic methylation patterns corresponded with decreased death receptor apoptosis (P = 0.047) and DNA damage repair potential (P = 0.004) in advanced tumors. The observation of BRCA2 -26 G/A 5'UTR polymorphism concomitant with the presence of methylation in the promoter region was novel and emerged as a strong candidate for susceptibility to sporadic breast tumors.</p> <p>Conclusion-</p> <p>Our study indicates that methylation of DDR-apoptotic gene promoters in sporadic breast cancer is not a random phenomenon. Progressive epigenetic alterations in advancing tumors result in aberrant DDR-apoptotic pathway thereby promoting tumor development. We propose, since pathological epigenetic changes of the DDR-apoptotic genes are reversible modifications, these could further be targeted for therapeutic interventions.</p

Are you satisfied? Tracing antecedents of bank employees’ job satisfaction in their job role

This empirical study aims to explore the factors that impact job satisfaction among employees in private banks in Bangladesh, considering the prevailing atmosphere of intense competition in the country’s banking sector. Recognizing that employees are a crucial asset to any organization’s success, it is essential to explore the variables that contribute to their work contentment. The methodology adopted for this study follows a quantitative approach, employing regression analysis for scrutinizing the relationships between job satisfaction and selected variables. This study included a sample of 320 individuals employed in private banks in Bangladesh. This sample size was considered suitable for conducting a robust quantitative regression analysis. To collect the necessary data, the questionnaire was given to the bank personnel and employees via their email addresses. The survey instrument utilized in this investigation was modified from earlier research endeavors to ensure validity and reliability. To analyze the collected data, the researchers utilized the statistical software SPSS version 29.0. The regression analysis feature of SPSS was employed to test the model and hypotheses formulated for this study. The findings of the study reveal that green HR practices (β = 0.284), which encompass environmentally friendly policies and practices in human resource management, significantly contribute to employee job satisfaction. Additionally, remuneration (β = 0.224) emerges as another vital factor influencing job satisfaction. Furthermore, work environment (β = 0.298) was found to have a significant positive and highest effect among other two variables on job satisfaction levels

Factors influencing employee performance and their impact on productivity: A study of commercial banks in Bangladesh

Employees are the most valuable part of every organization in the world, and the success of the organization depends on how well its employees do their jobs. Nowadays, commercial banks in Bangladesh are growing overwhelmingly, so the competition is enhancing one bank to another. Employee performance at the firm level and workplace productivity has not been empirically studied in the context of Bangladesh. The purpose of this study is to find out the variables that affect how well employees at banking institutions in Bangladesh do their jobs. People who worked in private banks in Bangladesh were the focus of this study and the final sample size was 250. The sample size was suitable for quantitative regression analysis. The questionnaire was sent to the e-mail ids of employees, and the questionnaires were adopted from the previous studies. To test the model and hypothesis, SPSS is used to analyze collected data in this study. The regression analysis was duly run with using the SPSS 26.0 version. The study shows that competence, compensation, leadership, and motivation have a big and good effect on how well employees do their jobs in regard to private commercial banks in Bangladesh. So, bank authorities should identify the factors influencing the improvement of the performance of bank employees, and they need to focus on employee productivity-enhancing activities