52 research outputs found
Planar Graph Generation with Application to Water Distribution Networks
The study of network representations of physical, biological, and social phenomena can help us better understand their structure and functional dynamics as well as formulate predictive models of these phenomena. However, in some applications there is a deficiency in real-world data-sets for research purposes due to such reasons as the data sensitivity and high costs for data retrieval. Research related to water distribution networks often relies on synthetic data because the real-world is data is not publicly available due to the sensitivity towards theft and misuse. An important characteristic of water distribution systems is that they can be embedded in a plane, therefore to simulate these system we need realistic networks which are also planar. Currently available synthetic network generators can generate networks that exhibit realism but the planarity is not guaranteed. On the other hand, existing water network generators do not guarantee similarity with the input network and do not scale. In this thesis, we present a flexible method to generate realistic water distribution networks with optimized network parameters such as pipe and tank diameters, tank minimum and maximum levels, and pump sizes. Our model consists of three stages. First, we generate a realistic planar graph from a known water network using the multi-scale randomized edit- ing. Next, we add physical water network characteristics such as pumps, pipes, tanks, and reservoirs to the obtained topology to generate a realistic synthetic water distribution system that can be used for simulation. Finally, we optimize the operational parameters using EPANet simulation tool and multi-objective optimization solver to generate a network with maximum resilience and minimum cost
Common fixed point of a power graphic (F,psi)-contraction pair on partial b-metric spaces with application
The aim of this paper is to inaugurate power graphic (F,ψ)-contraction pair and to establish fixed point results for such mappings defined on partial b-metric spaces endowed with a graph. It is mentioning that, first time, we launch a class of fixed point results in the frame of partial b-metric spaces involving a graph. Results of this paper extend and generalize known results from metric, partial metric, and partial b-metric spaces in partial b-metric spaces with a graph. Further, appropriate examples are presented to emphasize the utility of the obtained results. At the end, an attempt to correlate the given work with application is turned out as solution for an integral equation
Corporate Identity: Developing Means for Sustainable Competitive Advantage in Indian Context Towards Model Development
Corporate identity is a dynamic and premeditated asset integral to gaining competitive advantage in the market. It spans both the internal and external functions of the organisations. It is a variable that needs to be studied cohesively. However, the literature on corporate identity has studied the various elements in a non integrated manner. This needs to be replaced by a comprehensive understanding of the processes and nuances of corporate identity, which can help the organisations in developing sustainable competitive advantage. Additionally, this study focuses on digital media and tech savvy individuals from an emerging market: India. In order to achieve this objective, we interviewed 70 respondents from 20 companies and their consumers. Thus, we identified that corporate identity deals with strategic, emotional and social dimensions. This helped us develop a comprehensive model. Further, corporate identity was seen as a benchmark related to corporate challenges and expectations. Lastly, digital media need to work as a bonding platform among the stakeholders to ensure this
UROPATHOGENS: ISOLATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN
Objective: To find the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of uropathogens. Methods: A total of 100 urine samples of clinically suspected urinary tract infection were collected from May 2016 to July 2016. The samples were inoculated on cystine lactose electrolyte deficient agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hrs. Results: A total of 77 (77%) samples were positive showing microbial growth. Among all isolates, Escherichia coli was 36.36%, followed by Klebsiella spp. (35.06%), Citrobacter spp. (6.49%), Staphylococcus aureus (6.49%), Pseudomonas spp. (5.19%), Enterococcus faecalis (3.90%), and Acinetobacter spp. (1.30%). For Gram-positive isolates, the most effective antibiotic was nitrofurantoin followed by sulphafurazole. For Gram-negative isolates, the most effective antibiotic was nitrofurantoin followed by gentamicin and piperacillin/tazobactam. Conclusion: In this study, nitrofurantoin was the most effective antibiotic for Gram-positive and Gram-negative uropathogen
Knowledge and attitude among Indian medical students towards thalassemia: a study in Delhi NCR
Background: Thalassemia can easily be prevented by awareness, education, screening, premarital genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis. There are only a handful of articles on knowledge and awareness about thalassemia among general population or parents of thalassaemic children. Aims and objectives was to evaluate the level of awareness, knowledge and attitudes of medical students towards thalassemia as well as to analyse the differences if any between the first year and second year MBBS students and their correlation with various socio-demographic parameters.Methods: This was an institutional based cross sectional observational descriptive study regarding knowledge and attitude of first and second year MBBS students about thalassemia using a pre-designed, structured, self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 17. Values of p<0.05 were considered significant.Results: Mean knowledge scores of second year MBBS students compared to first year MBBS were 11.73±1.78 versus 10.8±1.92, the difference being statistically significant, however, the difference between mean attitude scores was not found to be significant. There was no effect of age, gender, region or Kuppuswamy’s socio-economic class on the knowledge or attitude of MBBS students towards thalassemia.Conclusions: Majority of the MBBS students had good knowledge and positive attitude towards thalassemia. To confirm the observations, large scale studies need to be conducted comprising of different study populations. Screening for thalassemia should be made mandatory, as part of medical examination, at entry to a medical college so that the medical college students are sensitized and can spread awareness among general population
Lamellar body count as a predictor of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in preterm premature rupture of membranes
Background: Lamellar bodies are present in amniotic fluid and their quantity increases with increased gestational age. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (P-PROM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and is a major cause of preterm deliveries and thus the important cause of RDS. Fetal pulmonary maturity can be assessed by direct or indirect measurement of surfactant phospholipids secreted by the fetal lungs into amniotic fluid. Lamellar body count (LBC) has been introduced as an alternative to other methods.Methods: The study’s prime aim is to establish LBC as a predictor of RDS in P-PROM. We included pregnant women with P-PROM and gestational age between 28 weeks and 37 weeks and singleton live pregnancy. The lamellar body counting from amniotic fluid was done with the use of a standard hematology cell counter, sysmex KX-21. There was statistically significant co-relation between lamellar body count and period of gestation (by applying ANOVA).Results: Lamellar body counts were significantly less in cases of RDS as compared to non RDS cases.Conclusions: LBC count was selected among all other tests because the test can be performed with equipment found in most clinical analysis laboratories and is reliable in predicting fetal lung maturity
A Correlation of Tumor Budding and Tumor Stroma Ratio with Clinicopathological Factors in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Background: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common carcinoma in the head and neck region. Both tumor budding and tumor stroma ratio are being studied in the recent years in various solid tumors for their role as a prognostic marker, however the studies in oral squamous cell carcinoma are limited. Methods: A total of 50 patients of oral squamous cell carcinoma proved histologically were included in the study over a period of 4 months (July 2022-October 2022). Tumor budding(TB) and Tumor stroma ratio (TSR) were evaluated on routine hematoxylin and eosin stained sections and these were correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and p value <.05 considered significant. Result: The mean age was 52.72 +_ 13.16 and M: F of 7.1:1. Most of the tumors were located on tongue (46%) followed by buccal mucosa (26%), gingivobuccal sulcus (12%) and retromolar trigone (8%). Palate and alveolus were the other sites involved constituting 4% each. Both TB and TSR were found to be significantly associated with grade of the tuumor, lymph node metastasis and size of the tumor. A highly significant correlation was also found between Tb and TSR with a p value <.001. Conclusion: Both TB and TSR can be easily evaluated on routine H&E sections and are highly reproducible and found to be reliable independent prognostic markers in OSCC. Thus, this simple and cost-effective method of prognostification which is currently lacking will help in identifying patients with poor prognosis and thus, individualise the treatment plan.
Keywords: Tumor Budding, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, Tumor stroma ratio
First aid knowledge among health assigned teachers of primary schools
Background: Every parents of a child knows that it is hard enough to keep their child safe at home but when child goes off to school there is a whole new set up of challenges. Parents totally entrust their children to the schools. They rely on the teachers as their second parents in the institute for learning. They know for a fact that their educators will want no harm to come their way. While they are busy working, they fully believe that their children are well cared for. On the other hand, the teachers have the responsibility to keep an eye on their students. They should make sure that they are comfortable and secured within the four walls of their school. This then calls for their ability to handle even the most stressful situations. So much more, the school staff, especially the health teacher has to be equipped with the knowledge of first aid.Methods: Non-experimental survey study was conducted to assess the knowledge of first-aid among Health assigned teacher working in selected schools of Dehradun city. Using purposive sampling technique 40 samples of different schools of Dehradun city was adopted to select the area.Results: Result shows that the majority of health assign teachers were having average knowledge about first aid i.e. 29 (72.5%) and 10 (25%) were having good knowledge and 1 (2.5%) was having poor knowledge regarding first aid. Majority of participant were female 21 (52.5%). The educational status of most participants was post graduate (67.5%). Majority of the schools were private 25 (62.5%). There is no significant association between socio-demographic variables i.e. Gender, level of schools, year of experience as a health assigned teacher and education provided by teacher, but qualifications of teachers and type of schools was found to have a significant association.(p> 0.05).Conclusions: First aid is the assistance given to any person suffering a sudden illness or injury, with care it is provided to preserve life and to prevent the condition from worsening, and for promoting recovery. It is important that health assigned teachers are equipped with strong, professional competencies. In order for health promotion actions to be sustainable in schools, teachers must be capable, competent and skilled health educators. As they are at prime position to contribute to a nations health gain through the provision of health education for future adults. Based on findings we can say that the health assigned teachers are having average knowledge regarding first aid. Therefore, the health assigned teachers must be equipped with appropriate and upgraded knowledge
- …