SAFIUS - A secure and accountable filesystem over untrusted storage

We describe SAFIUS, a secure accountable file system that resides over an untrusted storage. SAFIUS provides strong security guarantees like confidentiality, integrity, prevention from rollback attacks, and accountability. SAFIUS also enables read/write sharing of data and provides the standard UNIX-like interface for applications. To achieve accountability with good performance, it uses asynchronous signatures; to reduce the space required for storing these signatures, a novel signature pruning mechanism is used. SAFIUS has been implemented on a GNU/Linux based system modifying OpenGFS. Preliminary performance studies show that SAFIUS has a tolerable overhead for providing secure storage: while it has an overhead of about 50% of OpenGFS in data intensive workloads (due to the overhead of performing encryption/decryption in software), it is comparable (or better in some cases) to OpenGFS in metadata intensive workloads.Comment: 11pt, 12 pages, 16 figure

Analysis of Muscular Endurance among Adolescent School Boys of North-Eastern States of India

In the present pushbutton era most of the adolescent are not participating in leisure activities and concentrate are on studies. Regular physical activity would be important for life’s quality even if it had no relationship to disease and longevity. Physical activity is a significant ingredient in the quality of life, because it increases energy and promotes, physical and mental well being in addition to conferring health benefits. Boys from various schools of [Tripura (TR), Meghalaya (ML), Assam (AS), Mizoram (MZ), Manipur (MN), Nagaland (NL) and Arunachal Pradesh (A.R.)] (N=21000) North-Eastern states of India were selected as subjects at random. Their age ranged from 13 to 15 years (studying from 7th to 10th standard). Muscular endurance was measured by the number of sit-ups in a one minute. The collected data were analyzed by using one-way ANOVA. Among the groups, if any significant difference, scheffe’s post hoc test was used to find out the paired mean difference (P ? 0.05). The results of the study show that the adolescent boys of North-Eastern states were differ on muscular endurance. Hence it was concluded that, age, geographical region, growth, social behaviour, food habits and level of physical activity may influence the muscular endurance of adolescent boys

Tensor weight structures and t-structures on derived categories of Noetherian schemes

We give a condition which characterises those weight structures on a derived category which come from a Thomason filtration on the underlying scheme. Weight structures satisfying our condition will be called $\otimes ^c$-weight structures. More precisely, for a Noetherian separated scheme $X$, we give a bijection between the set of compactly generated $\otimes ^c$-weight structures on $\mathbf{D} (\mathrm{Qcoh\hspace{1mm}}X)$ and the set of Thomason filtrations of $X$. We achieve this classification in two steps. First, we show that the bijection of S\v{t}ov\'{\i}\v{c}ek and Posp\'{\i}\v{s}il restricts to give a bijection between the set of compactly generated $\otimes ^c$-weight structures and the set of compactly generated tensor t-structures. We then use our earlier classification of compactly generated tensor t-structures to obtain the desired result. We also study some immediate consequences of these classifications in the particular case of the projective line. We show that in contrast to the case of tensor t-structures, there are no non-trivial tensor weight structures on $\mathbf{D}^b (\mathrm{Coh \hspace{1mm}} \mathbb{P}^1_k)$.Comment: 11 pages, comments are welcome

Sustaining Rural Livelihoods in Fragile Environments : Resource Endowments or Policy Interventions?

This paper primarily assesses the status of rural livelihoods in fragile environments with diverse resource endowments and policy interventions. The objective was to examine the effectiveness of resource enhancing policy interventions like watershed development in reducing resource endowment imbalances across villages and regions. Livelihood assessment was carried out using the sustainable rural livelihoods (SRL) framework in the fragile regions of Andhra Pradesh. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to assess the rural livelihoods covering all the 555 households in three sample villages. It is argued that resource endowments determine the level and dynamics of livelihoods at the household level rather than policy interventions per se. On the other hand, policy interventions, given the status and structure of the economy, only act as catalysts. Policies for strengthening the resource base are necessary but not sufficient to address the livelihood issues. In the present case it is shown that availability of water (irrigation) is more important than the recent policy interventions like watershed development for improving the livelihoods. Nevertheless, policy interventions towards human capital development (education, skills, etc) could be rewarding in the long run. Unless policies are directed towards bringing changes in natural resource endowments (especially water) at the household level, it is unlikely that the on going policy interventions would transform the rural livelihoods in the fragile environments.Rural livelihoods, resource endowments, watershed development, policy

Sustaining rural livelihoods in fragile environments: Resource endowments or policy interventions?

This paper primarily assesses the status of rural livelihoods in fragile environments with diverse resource endowments and policy interventions. The objective was to examine the effectiveness of resource enhancing policy interventions like watershed development in reducing resource endowment imbalances across villages and regions. Livelihood assessment was carried out using the sustainable rural livelihoods (SRL) framework in the fragile regions of Andhra Pradesh. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to assess the rural livelihoods covering all the 555 households in three sample villages.Rural livelihoods, resource endowments, watershed development, policy interventions, Andhra Pradesh

NEW CLASSIFICATION AND COLOUR CODE DEVELOPMENT FOR AN EFFICIENT MEDICAL WASTE SEGREGATION

Medical waste poses serious threat to the environmental health without comprehensive guidelines and efficient management as it contains highly toxic chemicals, pathogenic viruses and bacteria. Therefore, proper handling of medical waste with specialised treatment from its source to final disposal has been a primary concern among medical institute, public and private agencies. The existing medical waste classification in many countries does not contain clear and appropriate segregation, which has created confusion among the medical staff in handling medical waste.  It is pertinent to mention that, World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance recommends different countries to conduct assessments prior to any decision-making process and improve their own guidelines incorporated with recent technologies. Therefore, the objectives of this research are: 1) to develop a new classification of medical wastes by identifying the gaps in the current classes and 2) to suggest colour code for the medical waste segregation that is adopted from the WHO's colour code with few amendments as per the recent technological development. Due to the challenge in managing medical waste, there is an urgent need in developing and adopting comprehensive medical waste segregation classification to separate the medical waste at the source itself. The methodology of classification is aimed at applying a source separation practiced by the medical personnel on the spot and given them awareness on the segregation process. The proposed new classification of medical waste is based on Malaysia's Scheduled Waste Regulations together with European Waste Code. By extracting the best classification from these two regulations and by overcoming the lacuna in them, a new classification is developed for current use. The developed medical waste classification and its colour codes must provide a better segregation and achieve cost saving at waste disposal. The current methods of classification could be extended to research on application of such classification to other parts of the world

Response of a Thin Flat Scored Metallic Disc Under Pressure Impulse

This paper presents the large deformation, and failure response of a thin flat scored metallic disc (FSMD) subjected to a pressure impulse as experienced in a break-away disc or an explosion vent. The response of this thin FSMD is numerically simulated for a loading rate and validated with an experiment, where a good agreement is found on plastic strains, burst pressure, and deformation pattern. The loading rate and several geometric parameters of FSMD significantly influence its response. Therefore, the influence of loading rate ( P& ), score depth and width-todisc thickness ratio (t 1 /t and b/t), diameter-to-disc thickness ratio (D/t), score length-to-disc radius ratio (l/R), score pattern, and score geometry on the deformation and failure response of the thin FSMD is thoroughly investigated. The studies demonstrate that 1) the failure initiation point shifts from disc centre to between 1/5th and 1/3rd radius for loading rates ≤ 25 MPa/s; 2) the responses such as burst pressure, burst time, central deflection, and equivalent strain are i) sensitive to the loading rates up to 100 MPa/s, ii) sensitive to score’s depth, only up to 0.6t and insensitive to score’s width, iii) significantly unaffected for the number of scores N > 8, iv) stabilised for l/R > 0.5 and D/t > 250, v) almost the same for semi-circular, rectangular and triangular score geometries, and vi) very minimal for the number of scores N = 3; and 3) the failure do not initiate and propagate along all scores for N > 4 in the disc

Formulation and Development of Orodispersible Tablet of Baclofen by Effervescent Method

The aim of the present study was to develop orodispersible tablets of Baclofen for improving patient compliance, by overcoming the difficulties in swallowing, with the prime objective of arriving at cost effective product by effervescent method. In the effervescent method, mixture of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid (each of 12% w/w concentration) were used along with super disintegrants, i.e., treated agar, sodium starch glycolate (SSG), Cross Carmellose Sodium (CCS) and Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC). The prepared batches of tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, drug content uniformity, in vitro dispersion time. The hardness and friability test reports revealed that the tablets had a good mechanical strength and resistance. The formulation containing high concentration of MCC, SSC and CCS and mixture of effervescent emerged as the best formulation based on in vitro drug release characteristics. The results of this work suggest that orodispersible tablets of Baclofen with rapid disintegration time, fast drug release and good hardness can be efficiently and successfully formulated by effervescent method

PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT IN ANDHRA PRADESH : A Review

This paper traces the recent emergence of the new participatory forest management regime in AP Joint Forest Management (JFM) and Community Forest Management (CFM). This paper is based on the existing literature on forest policies, the historical context (pre-colonial, colonial and post independent India), and impact studies. The paper considers the contemporary developments in India in shaping the forest policies in AP. At the same time it considers the significant role played by donors and civil society. The process and quality of implementation, and the impact of the programme on local communities and resources are also examined. AP ranks fifth in India in terms of geographical area (275,068 sq km), and third in terms of forestland (63,813 sq km or 6.38 mha (Million Hectares), which constitutes 23% of APs total land area. Some 65% of APs forest area is spread over 8 predominantly tribal districts in the northern part of the state. These tribal populations are particularly dependent on the forest for their livelihoods for forest product collection and cultivation on forestland. Historically the relationship between these tribals and the government agencies, particularly the Forest Department (FD), has been very poor, with numerous uprisings, including the Naxalite movement. Many of these lands are disputed due to inadequacies in the legal processes by which largely tribal lands were declared state forests. Legally podu has de jure status prior to 1980 Act. Post 1980 podu cultivation is illegal and considered as encroachment. De facto podu is considered as encroachment (prior to 1980) as there is no proper settlement, conceptually typical podu practice is seen only in a few pockets in the state, especially in Vishakhapatnam. In 1956, on the formation of AP from Telangana and parts of the Madras Presidency, the pre-existing forest management regimes from the two distinct areas were harmonised by the Law Commission, leading to the AP Forest Act, 1967. Initially the states FD continued with a policy of commercialisation and revenue generation. However, with a growing crisis of forest degradation participatory approaches were introduced. The Government Order (GO) for JFM in AP was issued in 1992, although implementation didnt start until 1994. JFM has built on the roles played by both local forest *Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad, India. +Overseas Development Group, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. users and the FD staff. Funding to the FD to promote JFM has come from both the World Bank (WB) and from centrally funded schemes, such as the Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS). Formation of Vana Samrakshana Samithies (VSS) began slowly after the GO, although by 2004 the official number stands at 7,245 VSS, managing 1,886,764 ha, (or over 29% of state forest land) and involving 611,095 families. The largest numbers of VSS are concentrated in the tribal areas of Adilabad, Visakhapatnam, and Khammam. The pattern of implementation and the outcomes is extremely complex, partly because of the wide variety of local conditions, ethnic and caste composition and local livelihood uses of forestland. The limited devolution of power which has occurred through VSS formation have however certainly been popular in many areas, because they have given local people endorsement to protect their local forest resources, upon which they depend for their livelihoods. Some employment opportunities have also been provided and some shares of revenues from forest product marketing are promised. Evidence suggests that the VSS have been successful in many areas in terms of regenerating degraded forests between 1993 and 1999. However there have been many criticisms of the JFM programme so far, most fundamentally focussing on the issues of power and land tenure. Because the FD has held almost complete discretionary power over the scheme and its implementation, the JFM process has inevitably reflected their objectives. Whilst many foresters have espoused very progressive ideas and concepts, in practice the implementation of the scheme has often furthered forest management strategy according to silvicultural norms, rather than local livelihood-oriented practices. In the context of a fundamental power asymmetry between the FD and the VSS., there has been little empowerment of local communities to take their own decisions with respect to forest management. This is most obviously seen in forest management plans. Whilst local people would like to see livelihood oriented forest management regime (ie. regular product flows, shorter term rotations, multiple product mixes) the FD has tended to prioritise its conventional forest management practices, often involving long rotation timber stands. The micro-plans commonly fit within wider divisional working plans. Livelihoods security could be increased if the forest resource were under a management plan, which actually prioritised local needs and opportunities. Institutional sustainability is a major problem in AP with many VSS becoming defunct due to conflict, lack of interest, or lack of funds. Where participation has been based on substantial funding flows, when the funds stop the motivation to participate reduces drastically. The institutional linkage between the VSS and the panchayat raj institutions has not been developed, which could ensure not only long-term sustainability, but also empowerment and legal independence of the local institutions. Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) have been largely excluded from the implementation of JFM, despite the fact they have played a major role in formulating the PFM policies at the state level.Forest Management, Andhra Pradesh

A Study of Clinical Profile of Haemorrhagic Stroke in Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral haemorrhage(ICH) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in tertiary care centre hospitals especially among hypertensive patients. So it is imperative to study the clinical profile of the disease and factors responsible for poor outcome of the event. Also it is essential to asses the importance of drug compliance to have the blood pressure under control to prevent catastrophic events like intracerebral haemorrhage. AIM OF THE STUDY: To asses the clinical profile and factors responsible for clinically poor outcome in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage and the importance of drug compliance in hypertensives in preventing intracerebral haemorrhage. METHODS : It is a prospective study done for 1 year from June 2017 to June 2018 in Tirunelveli medical college. About 100 patients presented with intracerebral haemorrhage in whom Hypertension is the cause, were selected randomly and their clinical features and investigations were studied critically. RESULTS: Totally 100 patients were studied. ICH was more common among people above 50 years of age. Males were affected more than females. Rural population was affected more than urban population. 57% of patients were known case of hypertension with poor drug compliance.60% of patients had GCS less than 8 at the time of presentation. Hemiplegia was present in 62% of patients. About 91% of patients had systolic BP more than 180 and 75% of patients had diastolic BP more than 120. About 51% of patients had intraventricular haemorrhage. Most common site of bleed was putamen and internal capsule. There was a statistical significance noted between the presence of poor drug compliance for hypertension ( p value - 0.001), T2DM (p value - 0.001), Chronic kidney disease(p value - 0.001) & proteinuria (p value - 0.001) with poor GCS at the time of presentation. CONCLUSION: Haemorrhagic stroke is more prevalent among known hypertensives with poor drug compliance. Putamen and internal capsule is the most common site of intracerebral haemorrhage. Presence of Chronic kidney disease, T2DM and poorly controlled hypertension are associated with poor outcome in ICH patients