Artificial Neural Network Model for the Road Network Optimization

Road network is a key factor of economic, social and every other form of development in the region and the state itself. In this paper, an artificial neural network (ANN) model for the road network management (RNM is introduced. The RNM transformed into ANN, thus it is treated as a problem and this is the centre of the further study. The problem of RNM is proportional to ANN in this paper. ANN is the best tool to provide a multilevel solution with justification. Keywords: Artificial Neural Network, Road Network Managemen

Ubiquitous Computing for Remote Cardiac Patient Monitoring: A Survey

New wireless technologies, such as wireless LAN and sensor networks, for telecardiology purposes give new possibilities for monitoring vital parameters with wearable biomedical sensors, and give patients the freedom to be mobile and still be under continuous monitoring and thereby better quality of patient care. This paper will detail the architecture and quality-of-service (QoS) characteristics in integrated wireless telecardiology platforms. It will also discuss the current promising hardware/software platforms for wireless cardiac monitoring. The design methodology and challenges are provided for realistic implementation

Method development and its validation for quantitative simultaneous determination of Latanoprost, Timolol and Benzalkonium chloride in ophthalmic solution by RP-HPLC

Background and the purpose of the study: To develop a simple, rapid and accurate HPLC method for simultaneous quantitative determination of Latanoprost, Timolol and Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) in ophthalmic solution. Method: Chromatographic separation was achieved with PDA detector using Inertsil C18, 300 x 3.9mm, 5µ reverse phase analytical column. The mobile phase consist of buffer: acetonitrile (40: 60 v/v), was passed through the column at flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The method was performed at wavelength gradient .The experiment was carried out at 30oC. Results: The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 25% to 150% of the working concentration (r2 > 0.999). The lower limit of quantification was 0.8, 0.9 and 0.6 for Timolol, BAK and Latanoprost respectively. Conclusion: The developed procedure was used for simultaneous quantitative estimation of Latanoprost, Timolol and Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) in ophthalmic solution. Developed method was validated as per ICH Q2 (R1), and most useful for academic as well as industrial scale. Key words: Latanoprost, Timolol, Benzalkonium Chloride, RP HPLC, Validation

Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating RP-HPLC Method for Duloxetine Hydrochloride in its Bulk and Tablet Dosage Form

The objective of the present work was to develop a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for duloxetine hydrochloride (DUL) in the presence of its degradation products generated from forced decomposition studies. The drug substance was found to be susceptible to stress conditions of acid hydrolysis. The drug was found to be stable to dry heat, photodegradation, oxidation and basic condition attempted. Successful separation of the drug from the degradation products formed under acidic stress conditions was achieved on a Hypersil C-18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm id, 5μm particle size) using acetonitrile: 0.01 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 5.4 adjusted with orthophosphoric acid) (50:50, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. Quantification was achieved with photodiode array detection at 229 nm over the concentration range 1–25 μg/ml with range of recovery 99.8–101.3 % for DUL by the RP-HPLC method. Statistical analysis proved the method to be repeatable, specific, and accurate for estimation of DUL. It can be used as a stability-indicating method due to its effective separation of the drug from its degradation products

Clinical profile of neurological gait ataxia: a hospital based study

Background: Gait disorders are major causes of functional impairment and morbidity especially in the elderly. Most gait disorders in older person are multifactorial, including neurological and non -neurological components. The aim of the study was to determine different neurological causes of gait disorders in elderly as well as in young adults.Methods: A total of 155 patients with gait ataxia were included and studied for demographic profile, clinical features, mode of presentation and aetiology of neurological gait ataxia.Results: Of the 155 patients enrolled in the study for gait disability, the most common cause of gait disability was cerebrovascular accidents 48 (31%) followed by lower motor neuron (LMN) paraparesis20 (12.9%), compressive myelopathy 17 (11%) and infectious causes were reported in 13 (8.4%) patients. Other causes were non-compressive myelopathy 8 (5.2%), Parkinsonism 8 (5.2%), degenerative diseases 6 (3.9%), diabetic amyotrophy 5 (3.2%), sensory neuropathy, hydrocephalus, myopathy and space occupying lesions in 4 (2.6%) patients each.Conclusions: The two most common causes of gait instability in Sub-Himalayan region are cerebrovascular accidents and LMN paraparesis. The LMN parapersis is associated with significant falls

A Randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of group-based Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) program on glycemic control and self-care activities among type-2 diabetics in South-East Delhi

Introduction: India has the second-largest population of diabetes globally. The long-term complications due to poor glycemic control are concerning. Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is a fundamental component in managing diabetes better. Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of group-based DSME in achieving glycemic control and improving self-care practices among people with type-2 diabetes as against the usual care. Methods: A non-blinded parallel-arm RCT among adults (? 30 years) diagnosed with Type-2 DM. Written informed consent was taken from each patient before enrollment. The sample size is estimated to be 85 in each arm according to the formula for equivalence design for an RCT. Randomization was done using a computer-generated random number table. The control arm received usual care, while the intervention group received group-based DSME in addition to usual care. At the end of 6 months, the change in glycemic control and self-care activity scores were compared between the two arms. Results: A total of 139 individuals (intervention =69; control =70) were analyzed. The proportion of females (62.1%) was higher than males (37.9%). There was no statistically significant difference at baseline. At end line, HbA1c showed a reduction from 9.3% to 6.9% in the intervention arm (P<0.001), which was greater than that in the control arm (p=0.017). All the self-care components showed a statistically significant improvement, except the medication score. Conclusions: Group-based DSME effectively increases self-care practices among people with diabetes, resulting in better glycemic control

Stability Indicating LC-Method for Estimation of Paracetamol and Lornoxicam in Combined Dosage Form

A simple, specific and stability indicating reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol and lornoxicam in tablet dosage form. A Brownlee C-18, 5 μm column having 250×4.6 mm i.d. in isocratic mode, with mobile phase containing 0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate:methanol (40:60, v/v) was used. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and effluents were monitored at 266 nm. The retention times of paracetamol and lornoxicam were 2.7 min and 5.1 min, respectively. The linearity for paracetamol and lornoxicam were in the range of 5–200 μg/ml and 0.08–20 μg/ml, respectively. Paracetamol and lornoxicam stock solutions were subjected to acid and alkali hydrolysis, chemical oxidation and dry heat degradation. The proposed method was validated and successfully applied to the estimation of paracetamol and lornoxicam in combined tablet dosage form

The aetiological profile of new onset palpitations in natives of Western Himalayas: a cross sectional observational study

Background: Palpitation is a common presenting complaint in out patient department. Etiological profile of such patients has not been studied in the recent past. The aim of the study was to study the aetiological profile of patients with new onset palpitations in North Indian tertiary health care centre.Methods: 130 consecutive patients of new onset palpitations were enrolled in the study and the aetiological profile of palpitation was evaluated using detailed history, examination and investigations.Results: The study group had 53% female and 47% male with a ratio of 1.13:1. Majority of the patients in the age group of 18-29 years. The mean age was 32.04+15.14 years. Most common symptom associated was shortness of breath seen in 17% patients. Of the 130 patients 43.8% of patients had cardiac aetiology, 35.38% psychiatric and 20% had miscellaneous aetiology. Among cardiac aetiology, arrhythmias were most common. PSVT was encountered in 15.4% and AF in 13.1%of the total patients. Psychiatry causes were observed in 35% of patients. In psychiatric causes 71.7% patients had panic attack whereas 28.2% patients had generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). In third group of miscellaneous causes which was 20% of total 6.9% had anaemia, 10% hyperthyroidism and 3.8% were on beta agonists.Conclusions: Palpitation is a presenting symptom of various diseases. The cause can be easily ascertained in most of the patients by a good history and examination; serious cardiac diseases require special investigation. Palpitation as a symptom should not be overlooked the underlying cause must be identified; this can be a helpful clue to improve patient outcome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in Plasmodium vivax malaria. A case-control study of comparison between ARDS and non-ARDS patients in P. Vivax malaria

Background: Plasmodium vivax was conventionally considered to be a benign parasite for centuries but in the recent years have proved to be a virulent parasite causing severe malaria. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of such severe complications with a significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to find the prevalence of ARDS and identify the associated factors that could potentially lead to ARDS in patients with vivax malaria. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in New Delhi. 329 patients with an established diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax mono-infection were identified using hospital medical records, the associated factors were evaluated and compared to calculate the odds of developing ARDS. All patients were categorized into ARDS cases and non-ARDS controls. Results: The incidence of ARDS was 7% with a female sex predominance (60.86%). Mean urea (71.5 mg/dl), creatinine (2.7 mg/dl), and AST (97.8 units/l) elevation in addition to decreased hemoglobin (7.7 gm/dl) and platelets count (38,217 cells/µl) proved to be significantly associated with ARDS in our study. Conclusions: Plasmodium vivax is a virulent parasite and can cause severe malaria even in the setting of isolated infection. Cytokine mediated diffuse inflammatory response is a postulated pathophysiology causing ARDS