Aisimam - An Artificial immune system based intelligent multiangent model

The goal of this thesis is to develop a biological model for multiagent systems. This thesis explores artificial immune systems, a novel evolutionary paradigm based on the immunological principles. Artificial Immune systems (AIS) are found to be powerful to solve complex computational tasks. The main focus of the thesis is to develop a generic mathematical model that uses the principles of the human immune system in multiagent systems (MAS). The components and properties of the human immune system are studied. On understanding the concepts of A/5, a literature survey of multiagent systems is performed to understand and compare the multiagent concepts and AIS concepts. An analogy between the immune system parameters and the agent theory was derived. Then, an intelligent multiagent model named AISIMAM is derived. It exploits several properties and features of the immune system in multiagent systems. In other words, the intelligence of the immune systems to kill the antigen and the characteristics of the agents are combined in the model. The model is expressed in terms of mathematical expressions. The model is applied to a specific application namely the mine detection and defusion. The simulations are done in MATLAB that runs on a PC. The experimental results of AISIMAM applied to the mine detection problem are discussed. The results are successful and shows that AISIMAM could be an alternative solution to agent based problems. Artificial Immune System is also applied to a pattern recognition problem. The problem experimented is a color image classification problem useful in a real time industrial application. The images are those of wooden components that need to be classified according to the color and type of wood. To solve the classification task, a simple negative selection and genetic algorithm based A/5 algorithm was developed and simulated. The results are compared with the radial basis function approach applied to the same set of input images

AISIMAM – An Artificial immune system based intelligent multi agent model and its application to a mine detection problem

Artificial Immune System (AIS) is a novel evolutionary paradigm inspired by the biological aspects of the immune system. The human immune system has motivated scientists and engineers for finding powerful information processing algorithms that has solved complex engineering tasks. This paper discusses two concepts. (a) The behavioral management of artificial intelligence (AI) namely the intelligent multi agent systems, (b) The evolutionary computation called the artificial immune system that imitates the biological theory called the immune system. The outcome of this research is an Artificial Immune System based Intelligent Multi Agent Model named AISIMAM that solves agent-based applications. The model is applied to a mine detection and diffusion problem and the results prove that AISIMAM has solved the problem successfully

The netrin protein family

The netrins are a family of extracellular proteins that direct cell and axon migration during embryogenesis

Impact of cold mud pack on abdomen and eyes on the autonomic control of heart rate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mud therapy is a system of Naturopathic medicine where treatment is given using various forms of mud. Simultaneous application of cold Mud packs to abdomen and eyes is one of the most common treatment modalities in Naturopathy. Hence present study aims to evaluate the physiological effects of simultaneous application cold mud pack over abdomen and eyes by determining the cardiovascular and autonomic parameters of the study participants. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: 30 healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. All the volunteers were subjected to two sessions of treadmill run up to 10 minutes and subsequently on supine rest. Their first session was considered under Control trial, during which they were given a dry abdomen and eye pack after the treadmill run for 20 minutes. With a gap of 15 days in between, in the experimental trial they were given cold mud pack to abdomen and eyes during the supine rest after the treadmill run. HRV Assessments were done during the intervention and their BP and pulse were recorded immediate after the intervention. RESULTS: In the present study among the two evaluations, all HRV parameters in time domain and HF of frequency domain remain increased during the mud pack trial. Whereas LF of frequency domain, LF/HF ratio, HR and PR during mud pack trial is found to decrease. Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) also got reduced. This is suggestive of improvement in the sympatho-vagal balance reflecting parasympathetic domination produced among the subjects after Mud pack intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous application of cold mud packs on the abdomen and eyes enhances the parasympathetic activity and could have a role in maintaining the cardiac tone and preventing various cardiovascular ailments

Mapping of pathways of care, assessment of delays and gap analysis in provision of care following road traffic injury among patients in selected tertiary hospitals in urban Karnataka, South India

Background: Evidence-based public health advocates decision making based on best available scientific evidence, hence it is important to gather evidence of current scenario of trauma care. Aim & Objective: To determine pathways of care and delays among Road Traffic Injury patients and assess gaps in resources. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in selected tertiary care hospitals in Mangaluru taluk, Karnataka. Methods and Material: Participants were administered validated proformas on prehospital and hospital care. WHO trauma care checklist was used for capacity assessment and gap analysis. Statistical analysis used: Time intervals are expressed as measures of central tendency and dispersion. Descriptive analysis is given as percentages and proportions. Results: Median pre-hospital time was 30 minutes. Overall, 67.5% of the patients reached within golden hour. Majority (64.1%) were directly transported to current hospital. All patients received first aid, but only 0.8% received it at the RTI site. First aid was mostly administered by doctors (68.7%) or nursing staff (31.1%) and none by bystander. Insurance coverage was 32.8% and 87.9% incurred out of pocket expenditures. Scores were low in GP level hospital. Conclusions: Although transport was within the golden hour, pre-hospital care was poor. Out of pocket expenditures were high

EVIDENCE FOR NATUROPATHIC AND YOGIC INTERVENTIONS TO AUGMENT THE EFFECTS OF ART CARE AS AN ADJUVANT THERAPY- A PARALLEL MATCHED CONTROL STUDY

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming a pillar in the rehabilitative efforts for many people living with HIV AIDS (PLWHA). The efficacy of naturopathic and yoga intervention, a CAM therapy is an area to be explored in rehabilitation of PLWHA. Aim: The present study, a parallel matched control study to was designed to compare the efficacy of naturopathic and yogic interventions as an adjuvant therapy with standard Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to PLWHA. Methods: Twenty matched subjects were screened for the study based on the criteria: HIV positive subjects aged between 25 to 55 years, both sexes, no secondary infections, under ART care, last CD4 estimate done on June 2014. The intervention group (IG) underwent Naturopathic and yogic intervention along with ART in a HIV sanatorium for a month followed by periodical follow up and control group (CG) received only ART. The outcome measure was a change in CD4 count. Results: After the end of 6 month, the IG showed significant changes CD4 cell count (p=3.96E-05). The CG also showed a significant improvement in CD4 cell counts (p= 0.024) but not of the same magnitude as of IG. An independent t-test between the groups has shown that the IG was more significant (p=0.047). Conclusion: The improved levels of CD4 cells in the intervention group suggests that naturopathy and yoga can augment the efficiency of ART care and can be safely prescribed to PLWHA and prescribed as a adjuvant therapy. KEYWORDS: HIV care; Naturopathy; Yoga; ART; CD4 count

EVIDENCE FOR NATUROPATHIC AND YOGIC INTERVENTIONS TO AUGMENT THE EFFECTS OF ART CARE AS AN ADJUVANT THERAPY- A PARALLEL MATCHED CONTROL STUDY

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming a pillar in the rehabilitative efforts for many people living with HIV AIDS (PLWHA). The efficacy of naturopathic and yoga intervention, a CAM therapy is an area to be explored in rehabilitation of PLWHA. Aim: The present study, a parallel matched control study to was designed to compare the efficacy of naturopathic and yogic interventions as an adjuvant therapy with standard Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to PLWHA. Methods: Twenty matched subjects were screened for the study based on the criteria: HIV positive subjects aged between 25 to 55 years, both sexes, no secondary infections, under ART care, last CD4 estimate done on June 2014. The intervention group (IG) underwent Naturopathic and yogic intervention along with ART in a HIV sanatorium for a month followed by periodical follow up and control group (CG) received only ART. The outcome measure was a change in CD4 count. Results: After the end of 6 month, the IG showed significant changes CD4 cell count (p=3.96E-05). The CG also showed a significant improvement in CD4 cell counts (p= 0.024) but not of the same magnitude as of IG. An independent t-test between the groups has shown that the IG was more significant (p=0.047). Conclusion: The improved levels of CD4 cells in the intervention group suggests that naturopathy and yoga can augment the efficiency of ART care and can be safely prescribed to PLWHA and prescribed as a adjuvant therapy. KEYWORDS: HIV care; Naturopathy; Yoga; ART; CD4 count

Lifestyle, dietary and treatment adherence pattern of uncontrolled diabetics in coastal Karnataka, India

Background: Diabetes Mellitus shows a rising trend in India, driven by a combination of factors like sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and tobacco use. The cornerstone for interventions to reduce this is lifestyle modification. Aim & Objective: This study aims to determine lifestyle behaviours among uncontrolled diabetics in rural South India. Settings and Design: This is a pilot study conducted as part of a community trial which enrolled uncontrolled diabetics (Glycosylated haemoglobin, HbA1C of 7% or more) selected from baseline survey of 2 RBS readings. Methods and Material: The sociodemographic details, lifestyle habits and treatment adherence of eligible participants were recorded with a validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis used: Data was compared among 2 groups of poor glycaemic control using Chi square test. Results: There was no significant association of age or gender with HbA1C levels. Majority were non-smokers, non-alcoholics and did not exercise. Higher proportions of those with hospital admissions, longer duration of disease and less frequent check-ups had poor control; but these were not statistically significant. Dietary control was inadequate. However, there were no significant association of dietary habits with poor control. Conclusions: Although overall adherence to medication and follow up was satisfactory, lifestyle modification is not being sufficiently followed

Prognostic importance of the 6 min walk test in light chain (AL) amyloidosis

OBJECTIVES: In AL amyloidosis, organ response assessment is based on surrogates (eg, cardiac biomarkers). An objective functional test, such as the 6 min walk test (6MWT), capturing overall clinical improvement, is required. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of the 6MWT at baseline and change following chemotherapy. METHODS: This study evaluated the outcomes of patients who enrolled in a prospective observational study at the UK National Amyloidosis Centre (2012-2017). Patients underwent comprehensive assessments inclusive of blood testing, echocardiogram and 6MWT at baseline and annually thereafter. RESULTS: In total, 799 patients were included within the study. Median baseline 6 min walk distance (6MWD) was 362 m (IQR: 231 m). 6MWD progressively decreased with worsening cardiac disease stage (458 m, 404 m, 331 m and 168 m for cardiac Mayo stages I, II, IIIa and IIIb, respectively (p<0.0001)). In patients with a baseline 6MWT of ≥350 m, the median overall survival was not reached (vs 30.0 (95% CI 23.2 to 36.8) months if <350 m and 5.0 (95% CI 2.8 to 7.2) months if unable to attempt 6MWT (p<0.0001). Following chemotherapy, only patients in a complete haematological response improved their 6MWD by 12 months (p=0.001). Improvement in 6MWD prolonged survival in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: The 6MWT is prognostic in AL amyloidosis. A baseline distance of ≥350 m independently predicts better survival. These data suggest that 6MWT has utility in AL amyloidosis for baseline prognosis and assessing response