Using information noise to compute the economic benefit of a search service

Search services are now ubiquitously employed in searching for documents on the Internet and on enterprise intranets. Search services may exhibit different behavior depending on the type of information need, the quality of the search service, the ease of filtering results, the user’s domain knowledge and search experience. Users are thus faced with the selection of a search service in order to minimize cost, reduce uncertainty, and maximize the benefits derived for their efforts. This research develops a model of the search process and considers the noise effects of querying, search and filtering of results to derive a benefit measure for evaluating the search service. A methodology for comparing search services based on the benefit measure is presented along with an empirical analysis using three popular search services to validate the methodology. Our analysis revealed that the economic benefit of a search service is determined more by the information need type than by the search service itself. For a particular information need type, the value is determined primarily by the ease of filtering in the search service interface

A Web Search Model for Strategic Decision Making

Search services are now ubiquitously employed in satisfying the information needs of managers and business analysts involved in strategic decision making. In this paper, we propose a model of a user’s interaction with a search service in satisfying information needs and empirically evaluate the principal factors involved. Findings indicate that the information need type influences the search process more significantly than the specific search service being used. Consequently, managers and business analysts should pay particular attention to the types of information needs involved in a strategic decision

CORRECTING FALSE SEGMENTATION IN VIDEO USING IMAGE OVER-SEGMENTATION

Moving objects detection is a fundamental step in many vision based applications. Background subtraction is the typical method. When scene exhibits pertinent dynamism method based on mixture of Gaussians is a good balance between accuracy and complexity, but fails due to two kinds of false segmentations i.e moving shadows incorrectly detected as objects and some actual moving objects not detected as moving objects. In computer vision, segmentation refers to process of partitioning a digital image in to multiple segments and goal of segmentation is to simplify and/or change representation of image in to something that is more meaningful and easier to analyse. A colour clustering based on k-means and image over-segmentation are used to segment the input frame into patches and shadow suppression done by HSV colour space, the outputs of mixture of Gaussians are combined with the colour clustered regions to a module for area confidence measurement. In this way, two major segment errors can be corrected. Experimental results show that the proposed approach can significantly enhance segmentation results

Studying Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Sociality in Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Social Sciences: Possibility and Reality

The authors will briefly describe how some of today’s innovations and advancements might provide potential for improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of contem- porary teaching methods. A model curriculum proposed in this paper merges the disciplines of mathematics, science, engineering, and computing. It also addresses the growing need for exposing aspiring engineers to the human, cultural, and professional aspects of their emerging careers

Macro and microscopic characters of Maerua oblongifolia (Forssk.) A. Rich leaf

The paper deals with a detailed investigation on the leaves of Maerua oblongifolia (Forssk.) A. Rich. which includes it’s morphological, anatomical and powder analysis. It is a low woody bushy under-shrub belonging to the family Capparaceae. The leaves are used in treatment of as fever, ear ache, stomach ache, skin infections, urinary calculii, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, rigidity in lower limbs, and abdominal colic. The leaf amphistomatic, with mostly anamocytic, few tetracytic stomata. In transverse section of leaf is ribbed on either sides at midvein, epidermis one layered. Mesophyll differentiated into palisade and spongy tissues. Ground tissue of midvein differentiated into palisade, collenchyma and parenchyma. The midvien consists of one large oval shaped vascular bundles arranged are at the centre. Petiole in transverse section is circular adaxially small, grooved at centre and epidermis is having one layered, a single circular vascular bundle present at the centre, vascular bundle is enclosed by endodermis. The powder microscopic and organoleptic characters are also presented in this study. This study would helps as an appropriate source for authentification of the present studied drug. &nbsp

THERMO GRAVIMETRY-DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING COLORIMETRY-MASS SPECTROSCOPY-A REVIEW

Thermogravimetric analysis is an analytical technique used to determine a material's thermal stability and its fraction of volatile components by monitoring the weight change that occurs as a sample is heated at a constant rate. Differential scanning colorimetry analysis is used to measure melting temperature, the heat of fusion, latent heat of melting, reaction energy etc. Mass spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool with many applications in pharmaceuticals and biomedical fields. The increase in sensitivity and resolution of the instrument as opened new dimensions in analysis of pharmaceuticals and complex metabolites of biological systems. Thermo gravimetry coupled with differential scanning colorimetry and Quadra pole mass spectrometry was applied to monitor the thermal stability and chemical properties of natural polymers isolated from chemically different soils. The TGA/DSC, when coupled with MS generic multiple ions from the sample under investigation, it then separates them according to a specific mass-to-charge ratio. The coupled instrument is used for simultaneous identification of organic compounds, used to evaluate the physical properties, degradation stability of powder coating

Electronic Textiles: A Platform for Pervasive Computing

Virtual reality is widely used in the industry and is becoming more and more affordable for end users. At the same time higher education students want to be well-prepared for their professional life and expect more courses with practical application of theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies. Moreover, they benefit greatly when having the possibility to improve their soft skills. This paper presents the teaching methodology for a practical course in virtual reality for graduate and undergraduate students. The course design focuses on learning about virtual reality by simulating interdisciplinary industrial projects and it aims at developing skills such as methodical approach to practical engineering problems, teamwork, working in interdisciplinary groups and time management. In addition the paper discusses the importance of the course design, task specification and work group composition for a successful realization of the course and refers to some project examples from the past three years

INFLUENCE OF PHARMACEUTICAL CARE ACTIVITIES ON KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE (KAP) AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: To assess the influence of pharmaceutical care activities on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: A total of about 301 patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus were recruited from a tertiary care hospital. Patients were educated about their disease condition, lifestyle modifications and diet regimen to be followed and were given instructions for improving medication adherence. In the initial session, no pharmaceutical care was given, in the second session patient counseling was given verbally and in the last session patient counseling was given both verbally and non-verbally by means of pamphlet distribution. KAP questionnaire and glycemic levels (glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood sugar and post-prandial blood sugar) of participants were obtained at baseline and at follow up. Results: The baseline values of FBS in patients before intervention was found to be 176.5±74.46 mg/dL and it was reduced to 140.7±43.9 mg/dL after 3 mo. Henceforth, there was also an improvement in the PPBS values which was found to be 254±77.3 mg/dL at the baseline and was 212.9±54.2 mg/dL after intervention. The baseline values of HbA1c is 8.144±1.727% and after intervention, value reduced to about 7.173±2.768%. After the intervention, it was found to be that 30%, 16% and 12% reduction in FBS, PPBS and HbA1c values and the P-value (<0.0001) found to be statistically significant. KAP scores also found to be improved after the intervention and statistically significant. The results clearly indicate that through proper guidance and educating the patients by the pharmacist is beneficial in managing the glycemic levels and reduce further complications. Conclusion: The study concluded that the pharmaceutical care by the pharmacist is highly essentially and useful for the patients to manage the glycemic index and prevent further diabetic complications

Primary renal squamous cell carcinoma in a non-functioning kidney with nephrolithiasis: A case report

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of renal pelvis is a rare neoplasm. A 50-year-old female presented with a history of chronic dull aching pain in left flank region and burning micturition for 8 months. Workup showed multiple calculi in non-functioning, hydronephrotic left kidney. Histopathological examination of nephrectomy specimen revealed SCC of renal pelvis; although, there was no obvious growth. The case report highlights the fact that SCC should be suspected in a patient with renal mass in a non-functioning kidney following long-standing nephrolithiasis

A RAPID ASSAY METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION FOR THE ESTIMATION OF EPLERENONE IN TABLETS BY UV SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

Objective: To develop a rapid, simple and a cheap UV spectrophotometric assay method for the estimation of Eplerenone in tablets and validate as per ICH guidelines.Methods: The optimized method uses 0.05N HCl as a solvent for the estimation of assay of Eplerenone in tablets at a detection wavelength of 245 nm.Results: System precision and intra-day precision are exemplified by relative standard deviation of 1.5% and 1.3% respectively. Method was found to be rugged as precision was found to be 1.2%. The developed method resulted in Eplerenone exhibiting linearity in the range 5-15μg/ml. Percentage Mean recovery was found to be in the range of 98â€102, during accuracy studies. Conclusion: A rapid, simple and a cheap UV spectrophotometric assay method was developed and validated for the estimation of Eplerenone in tablets as per ICH guidelines and hence it can be used for the routine analysis in various pharmaceutical industries.Â