Neural Task Programming: Learning to Generalize Across Hierarchical Tasks

In this work, we propose a novel robot learning framework called Neural Task Programming (NTP), which bridges the idea of few-shot learning from demonstration and neural program induction. NTP takes as input a task specification (e.g., video demonstration of a task) and recursively decomposes it into finer sub-task specifications. These specifications are fed to a hierarchical neural program, where bottom-level programs are callable subroutines that interact with the environment. We validate our method in three robot manipulation tasks. NTP achieves strong generalization across sequential tasks that exhibit hierarchal and compositional structures. The experimental results show that NTP learns to generalize well to- wards unseen tasks with increasing lengths, variable topologies, and changing objectives.Comment: ICRA 201

Quality assessment of value-added Indian recipe pedakiya prepared from composite flour and sesame seeds.

The present study was designed to enhance the nutritional value of the Indian recipe pedakiya/gujiya, a traditional sweet deep-fried dumpling, by utilizing the beneficial properties of composite flour (oat and peas flour) and sesame seeds. Furthermore, the study aimed to investigate the effects of partial substitution of refined wheat flour with oat and peas flour on nutritional, sensory, and microbiological parameters as affected by different cooking (deep-fat frying, baking, and air-frying) methods. The dough was developed by partially substituting a high percentage of refined wheat flour with oat flour, peas flour, and sesame seeds and based on the different treatments, these were coded as P0 (control), P1 (value-added pedakiya processed by deep-fat frying at 120 °C /5 minutes), P2 (air-fried at 120 °C  /30 minutes), and P3 (baked at 200 °C /25 minutes). Based on sensory evaluation, sample P1 was the most acceptable by the sensory panel. Chemical analyses revealed that the addition of composite flour and sesame seeds substantially increased the nutritional parameters of the product. The product's microbiological analyses revealed that, up to a 15-day storage period, the product was well within safe levels. Aluminum bags were determined to be a suitable packaging material for storing the value-added pedakiya based on the water activity (at 37 °C/91% RH) and overall acceptability scores. This study has provided an alternative approach for preparing traditional pedakiya by utilizing healthier options. The topic of the present study is very timely since consumers are constantly looking for better alternatives to traditional fried dishes

A study to compare ramosetron and ondansetron for prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia

Background: The incidence of nausea and vomiting following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is very high. 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists are drug of choice for prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) because of their good efficacy and very few side effects in comparison to other antiemetics. Aims and Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous ramosetron 0.3 mg and ondansetron 8 mg for prevention of PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients between 18 and 70 years of age with American Society of Anesthesiology Grade I and II scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into two groups of 50 patients each. Group A patients were given injection ondansetron 8 mg and Group B patients were given injection ramosetron 0.3 mg approximately 5 min just before the induction of general anesthesia. Results: Difference in Nausea, vomiting/retching, and PONV score assessed at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h interval postoperatively in both groups was found to be statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The severity of nausea was assessed by visual analogue scale at various time intervals and use of rescue antiemetics in both the groups were found statistically insignificant. Incidence of side effects was also comparable in both the groups. Conclusion: Ramosetron and ondansetron are equally effective for prevention of PONV in patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia when used prophylactically. Both drugs are safe and have low incidence of side effects

Plant-Based Antioxidant Extracts and Compounds in the Management of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, and its prevalence is particularly high in developing countries, where people chew tobacco and betel nut on a regular basis. Radiation-, chemo-, targeted-, immuno-, and hormone-based therapies along with surgery are commonly used as part of a treatment plan. However, these treatments frequently result in various unwanted short- to long-term side effects. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop treatment options for oral cancer that have little or no adverse effects. Numerous bioactive compounds derived from various plants have recently attracted attention as therapeutic options for cancer treatment. Antioxidants found in medicinal plants, such as vitamins E, C, and A, reduce damage to the mucosa by neutralizing free radicals found in various oral mucosal lesions. Phytochemicals found in medicinal plants have the potential to modulate cellular signalling pathways that alter the cellular defence mechanisms to protect normal cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of various medicinal plants and phytoconstituents that have shown the potential to be used as oral cancer therapeutics

A cross sectional study to determine anterior tooth trauma prevalence among children aged 9-13 years

Aim: To determine the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) to anterior teeth in 9-13 year old schoolchildren and factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: A Cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1000 school going children. Lip competency, Overjet, and overbite were examined. Dental injuries to anterior teeth were recorded according to the Ellis classification. Data were collected on a performa. Results: The prevalence was found to be 10.4%. Maximum injuries occurred in the 12 year age group. Boys were more affected than girls. Home was the most common place with fall being the most common reason. A statistically significant relationship was found between TDIs and incompetent lips, incisal overjet ≥5 mm. Ellis class I fracture was the most predominant type. Conclusion: The present study gives a bird’s eye view on the prevalence and common etiology of TDI in school children. There is a need for increased awareness among parents and children regarding dental trauma

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene polymorphisms and complex disorders: A study among mendelian population with East Asian Ancestry

Background and Objectives: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-238G/A and -308G/A single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the gene have been implicated in numerous diseases. The present study aims to investigate the frequency of two TNF-α polymorphisms among Mendelian population of India and to assess their association with various cardiovascular risk variables and outcomes (hypertension [HTN], metabolic syndrome [MetS], and type 2 diabetes mellitus). Materials and Methods: A total of 1142 unrelated individuals aged 35–75 years belonging to Meitei community of Manipur were included in the study. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressures (systolic and diastolic), and lipid profile were measured. Polymerase chain reaction was done using standard protocols. Further, HTN, MetS, diabetic, and healthy individuals were identified, and a nested case–control study design was formulated. Results: The mutant allele frequency was found to be similar (4%) for both the polymorphisms among the Meiteis of Manipur. No mutant homozygote of TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism was observed. No significant risk of the two polymorphisms was found with any of the disease groups in nested case–control analysis. However, TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism, but not TNF-α-238G/A polymorphism, was found to be associated with total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in overall population only with TG and VLDL among the HTN cases. Conclusion: The association of TNF-α-308A allele with metabolic risk factors such as TC, TG, and VLDL suggests that though it may not increase the development of any of the diseases considered in the present study, it could possibly enhance the risk of human metabolic disorder. The absence of mutant homozygote among cases is suggestive of lethality of TNF-α-308A allele in double dose coupled with other environmental factors or in the presence of haplotype pairing with TNF-α-238A allele