Analysis of the Performance of IoT Networks in Acoustic Environment by using LZW Data Compression Technique

The Internet of Things (IoT) has experienced phenomenal growth, opening up a wide range of applications in many settings. Due to the properties of sound propagation, IoT networks operating in acoustic environments in particular present special difficulties. Data compression techniques can be used to minimize overhead and maximize resource utilization in these networks to increase performance. The performance of IoT networks in acoustic environments is examined in this study, with a focus on routing overhead, throughput, and typical end-to-end delay. Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) data compression is used to reduce data size and boost communication effectiveness. Three well-known protocols—MQTT, CoAP, and Machine-to-Machine (M2M)—are assessed in relation to acoustic Internet of Things networks. To mimic different acoustic conditions and collect performance metrics, a thorough experimental setup is used. Different network topologies, data speeds, and compression settings are used in the studies to determine how they affect the performance metrics. According to the analysis's findings, all three protocols' routing overhead is greatly decreased by the LZW data compression approach, which enhances network scalability and lowers energy usage. Additionally, the compressed data size has a positive impact on network throughput, allowing for effective data transmission in acoustic contexts with limited resources. Additionally, using LZW compression is seen to minimize the average end-to-end delay, improving real-time communication applications. This study advances knowledge of IoT networks operating in acoustic environments and the effects of data reduction methods on their functionality. The results offer useful information for network engineers and system designers to optimize the performance of IoT networks in similar situations. Additionally, a comparison of the MQTT, CoAP, and M2M protocols' suitability for acoustic IoT deployments is provided, assisting in the choice of protocol for particular application needs

Comparative study of induced and spontaneous labour in nulliparous women using modified WHO partograph

Background: Induced or spontaneous labour has implication on the eventual mode of delivery and neonatal outcome. The aim of study is to compare mean duration of labour andmaterno-foetal outcome of induced versus spontaneous labour among nulliparous women using modified WHO partograph.Methods: The study was conducted in nulliparous women coming at term in active phase of labour (with cervical dilatation at least 4 cm) either spontaneous or induced, both labouring women were monitored using modified WHO partograph. Outcomes measures include requirement of augmentation of labour with oxytocin, mean duration of labour, eventual mode of delivery and the materno foetal outcome.Results: A total 100 women were compared in each group. There was no difference in mean age group, BMI, gestational age. More women had spontaneous vaginal delivery among those with spontaneous labour (76% versus 58%) (p=0.033). The mean duration of second stage of labour was significantly more in induced labour (16.25 minutes) than in spontaneous labour (14.60 minutes) (p=0.0212). The mean Apgar scores were comparable in two groups. Induced labour is comparable to spontaneous labour regarding fetomaternal outcomes but with increased rate of caesarean deliveries.Conclusions: Study concluded from our study that in spontaneous group mean duration of labour was less than induced group and most of the patient delivered vaginally. In induced group rate of caesarean was higher and requirement of oxytocin for labour augmentation was also more than spontaneous group. Maternal complications were also found more in induced group than spontaneous group whereas neonatal outcome was similar in both the groups. We observed in our study that induced labour can be a safe procedure among nulliparous women if labour is partographically monitored by WHO modified partograph

Strategy-Proof Spectrum Allocation among Multiple Operators

To address the demand of exponentially increasing end users efficient use of limited spectrum is a necessity. For this, spectrum allocation among co-existing operators in licensed and unlicensed spectrum band is required to cater to the temporal and spatial traffic variations in the wireless network. In this paper, we consider multiple operator spectrum allocation problem via auctions. The classical Vickrey-Clarke-Grooves (VCG) approach provides a strategy-proof and social welfare maximizing auction at the cost of high computational complexity which makes it intractable for practical implementation. We propose a sealed bid auction for spectrum allocation, which is computationally tractable and can hence be applied as per the dynamic load variations of the network. We show that the proposed algorithm is strategy-proof. Simulation results are presented to exhibit the performance comparison of the proposed algorithm and the VCG mechanism

Tobacco Use and Oral Health Status among Adolescents in an Urban Slum, Gurugram

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for number of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer and oral cancer. Tobacco epidemic is one of the public health threats killing nearly six million people yearly. Tobacco use also contributes to poor oral health causing staining, bad breath and tooth decay. Different studies in India are suggestive of upward trend in use of tobacco even in adolescents.OBJECTIVES: To find the prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents in an urban slum and to assess the oral health status among them.METHODOLOGY: This cross sectional study was done as a part of oral health assessment camp conducted in an urban slum. All adolescents attending the camp were recruited in the study after due informed consent, the final sample size being 130.RESULTS: The overall tobacco use among adolescents was found to be 95.8% adolescent boys and 27.6% among adolescent girls. The most common reasons cited for tobacco use were peer pressure followed by parent’s influence. Smokeless tobacco (dry tobacco, lime, guthka) was consumed by 39.13% boys and 19% girls. Smoking was prevalent among 16.7% boys and 8.6% girls. However 41.7 % adolescent boys consumed both forms of tobacco. Prevalence of dental caries was high in both boys (77.7%) and girls (55.2%). The presence of tartar was found in 47.3% boys and 22.4% girls. Bleeding gums was found in more no. of girls (29.3%) as compared to boys (25%). The other morbidities found on examination were ulcer (16.7% boys and 3.5% girls), Oral submucous fibrosis was seen in 27.8% boys and 3.5% girls.CONCLUSION: Appropriate intervention is required as adolescence is a tender period where these risk factors like tobacco consumption and oral hygiene could be modified by awareness and counselling

Bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction: Factors guiding management

Background: The management of prenatally detected hydronephrosis due to bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) remains controversial. No definite recommendations exist regarding management, and many authors recommend unilateral or bilateral pyeloplasty. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with bilateral UPJO treated at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Lucknow. All patients with prenatally diagnosed bilateral hydronephrosis and postnatal diagnosis of bilateral UPJO, who underwent initial unilateral pyeloplasty, were prospectively evaluated and were included in the study. The outcome of contralateral hydronephrosis was assessed as resolution or surgery. Results: A total of 16 patients underwent initial unilateral pyeloplasty and met the inclusion criteria (mean age: 2.6 months). Of all 16 patients, 12 (75%) had resolution and 4 (25%) patients required additional contralateral pyeloplasty during the follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (range 9–36 months) and the mean anteroposterior pelvic diameter and pelvis-to-cortex (P/C) were significantly different among the groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in children with bilateral UPJO type of hydronephrosis, improvement or resolution of the contralateral renal unit can occur following initial unilateral pyeloplasty for the worse renal unit. In patients in whom both the renalunits have similar split renal function and grades of hydronephrosis, pelvic AP diameter, cortical thickness, and P/C ratio can be used to determine the likelihood of contralateral delayed pyeloplasty.&nbsp

Effect of nitrogen and potash on Early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus Snellen) incidence in differently maturing varieties of sugarcane

It has been argued that fertilization may influence the susceptibility of insect pests, and thus, can increase the crop production by lowering the incidence of insect-pest. Here, the present investigation was carried out to study the influence of nitrogen and potash levels on the incidence of early shoot borer, Chilo infuscatellus Snellen in sugarcane varieties at Regional Research Station CCSHAU Uchani farm, Karnal. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with three differently maturing varieties viz., Co 0238, CoH 119 and CoH 150 as main plot, three doses of nitrogen viz., 150, 200 and 250 kg per hectare (kg/ha) as sub plot and two doses of potash viz., 0 and 50 (kg/ha) as sub-sub plot. The early shoot borer mean per cent incidence recorded in April, May and June, 2015 was highest (7.68, 12.19 and 6.35, respectively) in Co 0238 while, lowest (5.16, 8.51 and 5.40, respectively) in CoH 119 followed by CoH 150 (6.29, 8.79 and 5.43, respectively). In relation to nitrogen application, maximum mean per cent incidence (7.12, 11.19 and 6.48, respectively) in April, May and June, 2015 of early shoot borer was recorded at 250 kg N/ha and the minimum (5.68, 8.57 and 5.23, respectively) at 150 kg N/ha. Application of potassium significantly reduced the shoot borer infestation with mean per cent incidence lower at 50 kg K2O/ha (5.90, 9.24 and 5.33, respectively) in April, May and June, 2015 compared to control i.e., no application of potassium (6.85, 10.42 and 6.12, respectively). Results revealed that application of potassium with optimum dose of nitrogenous fertilizer along with selection of suitable variety acted as preventive measures to avoid shoot borer infestation

Schools as opportunity for oral health promotion: Existing status in India

Childhood is a significant stage in people’s lives where they are more receptive toward behavior shaping; thus, schools have been considered important foundation in addressing the health and social issues. School oral health education programs have produced affirmative results in improving the overall health of the child. The aim of the current review was to explore the history of school health, models of school health and existing efforts of School Oral Health Programs (SOHP) in India. The review identified five existing SOHP (Indian Dental Association - Colgate’s “Young India” Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, Chacha Nehru Sehat Yojna - School health scheme [Government of Delhi], Neev - SOHP, Intensive Dental Health Care Program - Punjab, Trinity CareFoundation - Bengaluru, National Oral Health Program, AIIMS) which is either running or proposed. It is recommended that the upcoming SOHP should be crafted on the existing evidence-based guidelines and theoretical models of school health. Prompt execution of proposed programs should be the priority to target the optimum oral health of the children.&nbsp