Restricted Strip Covering and the Sensor Cover Problem

Given a set of objects with durations (jobs) that cover a base region, can we schedule the jobs to maximize the duration the original region remains covered? We call this problem the sensor cover problem. This problem arises in the context of covering a region with sensors. For example, suppose you wish to monitor activity along a fence by sensors placed at various fixed locations. Each sensor has a range and limited battery life. The problem is to schedule when to turn on the sensors so that the fence is fully monitored for as long as possible. This one dimensional problem involves intervals on the real line. Associating a duration to each yields a set of rectangles in space and time, each specified by a pair of fixed horizontal endpoints and a height. The objective is to assign a position to each rectangle to maximize the height at which the spanning interval is fully covered. We call this one dimensional problem restricted strip covering. If we replace the covering constraint by a packing constraint, the problem is identical to dynamic storage allocation, a scheduling problem that is a restricted case of the strip packing problem. We show that the restricted strip covering problem is NP-hard and present an O(log log n)-approximation algorithm. We present better approximations or exact algorithms for some special cases. For the uniform-duration case of restricted strip covering we give a polynomial-time, exact algorithm but prove that the uniform-duration case for higher-dimensional regions is NP-hard. Finally, we consider regions that are arbitrary sets, and we present an O(log n)-approximation algorithm.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Abnormal uterine bleeding: a clinicohistopathological analysis

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is one of the most common problem for the patients and the gynecologists. It adversely effects on the quality of life and psychology of women. It is of special concern in developing country as it adds to the causes of anemia. Management of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) is not complete without tissue diagnosis especially in perimenopausal and post-menopausal women. Histological characteristics of endometrial biopsy material as assessed by light microscopy remains the diagnostic standard for the diagnosis of endometrial pathology.Methods: In our prospective study of 359 Patients of the age between 46 &73 years, clinical characteristics and the pattern of endometrial histopathology and their association in women, who present with abnormal uterine bleeding, are categorised into six groups.  Results: In our study, a significant correlation of histopathology &BMI was observed with endometrial hyperplasia and malignancy in obese patient i.e. 37 out 96 and 13 out of 23 respectively. The incidence of malignancy has been increasing with the age being 1.6% in 46-50 years to 60% in 70-75 years. In our study 116 (32.3%) had hypertension, 33 patients (9.2%) had diabetes mellitus, 40 patients (11.1%) had hypothyroidism.Conclusions: We found a maximum incidence of AUB in multiparous women. Clinicohistopathological analysis of AUB revealed endometrial hyperplasia in majority of patients

Amnion and Chorion Membranes: Potential Stem Cell Reservoir with Wide Applications in Periodontics

The periodontal therapy usually aims at elimination of disease causing bacteria and resolution of inflammation. It involves either resective or regenerative surgery to resolve the inflammation associated defects. Over the years, several methods have been used for achievement of periodontal regeneration. One of the oldest biomaterials used for scaffolds is the fetal membrane. The amniotic membranes of developing embryo, that is, amnion (innermost lining) and chorion (a layer next to it), have the properties with significant potential uses in dentistry. This paper reviews the properties, mechanism of action, and various applications of these placental membranes in general and specifically in Periodontics

Severe acute malnutrition: seasonal variations in Southern Rajasthan, India

Background: Malnutrition is India’s one of the biggest health care challenge. India has some of the highest rates of child malnutrition. We performed a retrospective study of children admitted in Malnutrition Treatment Centre to find out any seasonal variations in the prevalence of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Southern Rajasthan, India.Methods: In this hospital based retrospective study, data were analysed for all children admitted at malnutrition treatment centre of a tertiary level hospital attached to a medical college from April 2014 to March 2016 to study the seasonal variations in the prevalence of SAM.Results: A total of 30,140 children were admitted during the last two years, out of which under five children other than new born were 4,942 in 2014-15 and 5,972 in year 2015-16. Total 1915 SAM children were admitted in our malnutrition treatment centre (MTC) in last 2 years. Among the under five children 840 (17%) children were admitted with SAM in 2014-2015 and 1075 (18%) in year 2015-2016. The number of SAM admission has increased in 2015-16 from the previous year (p0.05).Conclusions: The prevalence of SAM in admitted patients was high as compared to national and state data and this has increased over the year, but there are no month wise seasonal variations in prevalence of SAM in our children representing Southern Rajasthan, India.

ANTI-ATHEROSCLEROTIC ACTIVITY OF ELAEOCARPUS GANITRUS ROXB. IN CHOLESTEROL-FED RABBITS

  Objectives: Atherosclerosis was experimentally induced in New Zealand white male rabbits by cholesterol feeding for 120 days for investigating effects of 70% ethanolic Elaeocarpus ganitrus seed extract (EEGS) against atherosclerosis.Methods: Anti-atherosclerotic activity of E. ganitrus extract was evaluated at a dose level of 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight (p.o). On 121st day, the animals were sacrificed to collect the aorta for determining tissue lipid profile, antioxidant parameters, and histopathological changes. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test was used for the statistical analysis.Results: Aorta of cholesterol-fed rabbits for 120 days showed marked elevation in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids. EEGS extract treatment significantly (p≤0.01, ≤0.001) corrected disturbed lipid profile in cholesterol-fed rabbits in a dose-dependent manner during the 60 days of the treatment period. A significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and a considerable raise in glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels (p≤0.01, ≤0.001) were accompanied by post-treatment with EEGS extract to cholesterol-fed rabbits. The histopathological modifications such as accumulation of foam cells, atheromatous plaque formation, and lumen size reduction supported the successful induction of atherosclerosis in rabbits. The treated rabbits showed significant protective effect by lowering the deposition of cholesterol and increasing the lumen size compared to cholesterol-fed group.Conclusions: Phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, and carbohydrates in the ethanolic extract may be attributed to effective anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidant activity of plant extract. Our study exhibited that EEGS extract could be a potent herbal therapeutic agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia-related diseases

ANTI-ATHEROSCLEROTIC AND LIPID LOWERING EFFECTS OF CINNAMOMUM VERUM IN CHOLESTEROL-FED RABBITS

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic activity of 70% methanolic crude extract of Cinnamomum verum bark in high cholesterol-fed diet rabbits.Methods: C. verum extract was administered at a dose level of 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg (p. o) daily for 120 d to cholesterol-fed rabbits. Lipid profile in serum and histological changes in heart and aorta were investigated. The statistical analysis was carried out by student's ‘t'test.Results: Plant extract showed a significant decrease in the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, LDL, VLDL (P ≤ 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner in treated animals. HDL ratio improved overwhelmingly as well as the marked decline was also noticed in the atherogenic index after administration with C. verum extract. Histopathological examinations demonstrated less cholesterol deposits in the aorta and significant increase in lumen size of coronary arteries of high cholesterol diet animals given C. verum compared to the high cholesterol diet animals not given C. verum supplement.Conclusion: The phytochemical analysis of methanol extracts indicated a strong presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins and fatty acids may be responsible for the significant hypolipidaemic as well as antiatherosclerotic activity. Our study exhibited that the methanol extract of C. verum bark is a potent hypolipidaemic agent and decreased cholesterol deposition in the aorta and plaque formation process in the coronary artery of high cholesterol diet animals

Gaucher's disease: a case report

Gaucher's disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by lack of acid β-glucosidase (glucocerebrosidase) enzyme resulting in accumulation of glucosylceramide in different organs. This enzyme is encoded by a gene on chromosome 1. Accumulation of glucosylceramide in tissues leads to multisystem organ involvement viz. liver, spleen, bone marrow, lungs and central nervous system. It is common in Ashkenazi Jews but rare in India. Around five hundred cases are identified and diagnosed in India. Serum β-glucosidase levels <15% of mean normal activity confirms the diagnosis, enzyme replacement being the only definitive treatment. Here we report a case of Gaucher’s disease

SUNSCREENS: DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES

One of the major concerns affecting the human skin is the exposure to ultra-violet radiations (UVR) causing photo-damage and skin cancers. In order to provide preventive measures against such incidences, there is an increased demand for sun-protectants. Sun screening agents have shown beneficiary effects on the skin by reducing the exposure of UVR and its associated symptoms. Although various constituents have been recognized to have sun protecting activity, their safety and efficacy is still a concern. The United States Food and Drugs Administration (USFDA) and European Guidelines (EU) guidelines have made the sun protecting factor (SPF) and other such indices compulsory on the labels of such formulas to guide the consumers for better selection. The various ranges of radiations and skin types influence the mechanism of photoreaction and subsequent choice of the formulation. Apart from existing agents, certain novel sun-screening agents and technologies are now available to provide better protection to human populations

A Study on the Impact of Celebrity Endorsement on the Indian Consumers Purchase Decision

The focus of this dissertation is to understand the impact of celebrity endorsement on the consumers purchase decision. The research focuses on the Indian consumers who have shown a very different yet interesting way of recognising celebrities and stars. In a place like India where stars and cricketers are idolised and looked up to, marketers can see this opportunity promote their products and create a wider consumer base. The study uses a qualitative research style to collect data, using interviews as the form of data collection method. This research helps providing how celebrity endorsement impacts on the Indian consumers purchase decision