An Efficient Approach to Reduce the Energy Consumption in Wireless Sensor Networks through Active Nodes Optimization

© ASEE 2007A sensor network is made up of numerous small independent sensor nodes with sensing, processing and communicating capabilities. The sensor nodes have limited battery and a minimal amount of on-board computing power. This paper presents a novel methodology that utilizes source and path redundancy technique to effectively reduce the required energy consumption while at the same time maximize the lifetime of the sensor networks. In addition, the proposed methodology presents a strategy to optimize the number of active sensor nodes and assign equal time slots to each sensor nodes for sensing and communicating with the Base Station (BS). Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed methodology significantly minimizes the energy consumption and consequently increases the life time of the sensor nodes

Examining perceptions of agility in software development practice

This is the post-print version of the final published article that is available from the link below. Copyright @ 2010 ACM.Organizations undertaking software development are often reminded that successful practice depends on a number of non-technical issues that are managerial, cultural and organizational in nature. These issues cover aspects from appropriate corporate structure, through software process development and standardization to effective collaborative practice. Since the articulation of the 'software crisis' in the late-1960s, significant effort has been put into addressing problems related to the cost, time and quality of software development via the application of systematic processes and management practices for software engineering. Early efforts resulted in prescriptive structured methods, which have evolved and expanded over time to embrace consortia/ company-led initiatives such as the Unified Modeling Language and the Unified Process alongside formal process improvement frameworks such as the International Standards Organization's 9000 series, the Capability Maturity Model and SPICE. More recently, the philosophy behind traditional plan-based initiatives has been questioned by the agile movement, which seeks to emphasize the human and craft aspects of software development over and above the engineering aspects. Agile practice is strongly collaborative in its outlook, favoring individuals and interactions over processes and tools, working software over comprehensive documentation, customer collaboration over contract negotiation, and responding to change over following a plan (see Sidebar 1). Early experience reports on the use of agile practice suggest some success in dealing with the problems of the software crisis, and suggest that plan-based and agile practice are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, flexibility may arise from this unlikely marriage in an aim to strike a balance between the rigor of traditional plan-based approaches and the need for adaptation of those to suit particular development situations. With this in mind, this article surveys the current practice in software engineering alongside perceptions of senior development managers in relation to agile practice in order to understand the principles of agility that may be practiced implicitly and their effects on plan-based approach

AN OVERVIEW OF VISCOSUPPLEMENTS: THERAPEUTIC MODALITY FOR THE AILMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis is a multifarious joint disease and is caused by inflammatory mediators, along with a procedure of wear and tear of cartilage. Osteoarthritis outcome in cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, subchondral bone eburnation, degeneration of menisci, and capsular hypertrophy, which takes part in the pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis. Pain is the leading symptom of Osteoarthritis. However the precise mechanism causing pain is multifactorial and is still not well known. Viscosupplementation with intraarticular hylauronic acid promotes chondrocyte hyaluronic acid synthesis and prevents the additional cartilage degradation and may possible help to promote the cartilage regeneration. It is also postulated to diminish the production of inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinase involved in Osteoarthritis. Viscosupplementation decline osteoarthritis symptoms in early to judicious Osteoarthritis, and improves functional outcome, if other conservative treatment modalities are ineffective. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the major constituent of a 1-­â€2μm layer on the surface of articular cartilage; it is also a major constituent of synovial fluid. HA has many properties including exerting an anti-inflammatory effect, it acts as a lubricant when movements in the joint are slow and as a shock absorber when movements are fast effect. Viscosupplementation relieves the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee, and this therapeutic effect may last several weeks. However, it is apparently not much greater than that of placebo and, according to some studies, it barely reaches clinical significance. Its pain-relieving effect seems comparable to that of other non-surgical options. The modest clinical benefit of viscosupplementation may never be great enough to outweigh its disadvantages, which include slow onset of action, the need for several weekly injections, the low but present risk of adverse reactions and the relatively high cost of this treatment. It helps in improving the function in early osteoarthritis knee joint and might delay the need for future knee surgery Keywords: Joint disorders, intraarticular hylauronic acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, osteoarthritisÂ

ENRICHMENT OF MEMORY BY USING HERBAL FORMULATIONS

Memory is the ability of an organism to store, retain, and subsequently recall information. Memory enhancers are the compounds which improve or enhance the memory. The compounds, enhance memory are called nootropics. Some physiological conditions such as stress, anxiety affect the memory. Memory loss may be age related and due to some disease condition like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease etc. There are several nootropics marketed such as torental, duxil but these products has side effects like vascular dementia related to lacunae or to multiple infarcts, or leucoaraiosis and drg related amnesia. So mostly people prefer herbal nootropics over synthetic nootropics because they have less side effects than others. Herbal nootrppics mainly act by different ways like by increasing and replenishing neurotransmitter at high concentration in brain, by anti-depression, adaptogenic and mood stabilization, by improved oxygen supply and brain energy, by improved concentration, stamina, and focus, by memory enhancement and learning improvement, by nerve growth stimulation and brain cell protection. Memory is the most imperative characteristic for effectual survival of human beings. It also differentiates humans from animals. Reminiscence is the ability of an personage to record the in sequence and recall it whenever needed. Traditionally herbal drugs have been used to augment cognitive functions. A figure of medicinal plants and medicines derived from these plants have shown memory enhancing properties by virtue of their medicinal constituents. There has been substantial pharmacological exploration into the memory enhancing activity of some compounds. Since allopathic system of medicine is yet to make available a radical cure, the usefulness of traditional medicines needs to be explored. This article reviews the memory enhancing properties of the most commonly employed herbal medicines and their identified active constituents. The herbs acting on the brain are called Nootropic herbs and their isolated constituents are referred to as smart drugs. These herbs enhance the memory as well as increase blood circulation in the brain

FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT, OPTIMIZATION & IN VITRO CHARATERIZATION OF LIQUISOLID COMPACTS OF AN OXICAM DERIVATIVE

The rationale of the current research was to investigate the in vitro dissolution properties of poorly water soluble piroxicam by utilizing liquisolid technology. Dissimilar liquisoli compacts were formulated using a factorial design to estimate the required quantities of powder and liquid ingredients to fabricate adequately flowable and compressible admixture. About 16 different formulations were developed using factorial design with carriers Neusilin (Magnesium aluminometasilicate)  and Avicel PH 102, binder PVP K-30 and vehicle PEG-400 as independent variables and Aerosil 200 is used as coating material. The In-vitro drug release from the LSC has used a dependent variable. The empirical method by Spireas and Bolton was applied to calculate the amounts of carrier and coating materials and obtained the improved flow characteristics and hardness by changing the proportion of carrier and coating materials. Liquid solid compacts were fabricated and evaluated for their tabletting properties. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X- ray powder diffraction (XRPD) were performed. The FTIR spectra showed disappearance of the characteristic absorption band of piroxicam (3338.78 cm-1) in liquisolid formulations which might be attributed to the formation of hydrogen bonding between the drug and liquid vehicle; this resulted in drug dissolution enhancement. A 23 factorial design is used and developed liquid soild compacts using Neusilin LSCN1 to LSCN8 and Avicel PH 102 LSCA1 to LSCA8. The physicochemical characterization of all formulations exhibited well within the specification limits with respect to weight variation, hardness, friability and content uniformity.  The In-vitro drug release from these liquid soild compacts was evaluated in 0.1 N HCl and the optimized formulation LSCA8 was compared with pure drug (capsule) and physical mixture (tablet). The release studies suggested that the liquisolid tablets outcome in higher release profile than pure active pharmaceutical ingredient and physical mixture due to enhance in surface and wetting properties of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Liquid solid compacts technique confirmed the enhanced dissolution rate of oxicam derivative, which in turn promotes in enhancing bioavailability. Keywords: Piroxicam, Factorial design, Solubility, Dissolution rate, Avicel PH 10

SOLUBILITY ENHANCEMENT AND DISSOLUTION IMPROVEMENT- LIQISOLID TECHNIQUE

This technique is based upon the admixture of drug loaded solutions with appropriate carrier and coating materials. The use of non-volatile solvent causes improved wettability and ensures molecular dispersion of drug in the formulation and leads to enhance solubility. By using hydrophobic carriers (non-volatile solvents) one can modify release (sustained release) of drugs by this technique. Liquisolid system is characterized by flow behavior, wettability, powder bed hydrophilicity, saturation solubility, drug content, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, in-vitro release and in-vivo evaluation. The increased bioavailability is due to either increased surface area of drug available for release, an increased aqueous solubility of the drug, or improved wettability of the drug particles. According to the new formulation method of liqui-solid compacts, liquid medications such as solutions or suspensions of water insoluble drugs in suitable nonvolatile liquid vehicles can be converted into acceptably flowing and compressible powders by blending with selected powder excipients. It has been speculated that such systems exhibit enhanced release profiles. In this case, even though the drug is in a solid dosage form, it is held within the powder substratin solution or, in a solubilized, almost molecularly dispersed state, which contributes to the enhanced drug dissolution properties. According to the new formulation method of liquisolid compacts, liquid medications such as solutions or suspensions of water insoluble drugs in suitable non-volatile liquid vehicles can be converted into acceptably flowing and compressible powders by blending with selected powder excipients. Large scale production of fabricated drug on commercial level successful liquisolid tablet is a determination of optimal flowable liquid retention. Keywords: Poorly soluble drugs, coating material, carrier, hydrophilic solvent, liquisolid compact

SITE SPECIFIC DRUG DELIVERY THROUGH NASAL ROUTE USING BIOADHESIVE POLYMERS

This review explains some aspects of mucoadhesion related to the nasal drug delivery system. On the first count, the theories of the adhesion of mucoadhesive polymers to the mucosa epithelium are described. Secondly, the characteristics and application of several widely used mucoadhesive polymers in nasal drug delivery are presented. The nasal mucosa provides a potentially good route for systemic drug delivery. One of the most important features of the nasal route is that it avoids first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby reducing metabolism. The application of mucoadhesive polymers in nasal drug delivery systems has gained to promote dosage form residence time in the nasal cavity as well as improving intimacy of contact with absorptive membranes of the biological system. The aspiration of any drug delivery system is to endow with a therapeutic amount of drug to the proper site in the body to achieve promptly & then uphold the desired drug concentration. That is why the drug delivery system should deliver drug at a state dictated by the needs of the body over a specified period of treatment. This idealized objective points to the two aspects most important to drug delivery, namely, spatial placement relates to targeting a drug to a specific organ or tissue while temporal delivery refers to the control of rate of drug delivery to the target tissue. Over the last few decades, the relevance of mucoadhesive polymers in nasal drug delivery systems has gained significance among pharmaceutical scientists as a means of promoting dosage form residence time in the nasal cavity as well as for improving intimacy of contact with absorptive membranes of the biological system. In addition, the improved paracellular absorption subsequent the swelling of the mucoadhesive polymers on the nasal membranes provides an important way for the absorption of the macromolecules through the nasal cavity. Keywords: Nasal route, Mucoadhesive polymers, Paracellular absorption

FABRICATION DEVELOPMENT, OPTIMIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GASTRORETENTIVE MICROSPHERES OF AN ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUG

The objective of the present study was to develop floating microspheres of Captopril in order to achieve an extended retention in the upper GIT which may enhance the absorption and improve the bioavailability. In the present study, preparation of captopril floating microspheres, evaluation of Floating Drug Delivery System (FDDS) in vitro, forecast of the release, and optimization of stirring speed and polymers ratio to match target release profile was investigated. The microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation method using different ratio of hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4M) with drug in the mixture dichloromethane and ethanol at ratio of (1:1), with tween80 as the surfactant. Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) study shows that drug and other excipients are compatible with each other. The effects of polymers concentration on drug release profile were investigated. The floating microspheres were characterized by and results obtained are % yield, particle size analysis, drug entrapment efficiency, surface topography, buoyancy percentage, in-vitro drug release was studied for 12 hour and scanning electron microscopy. Accelerated stability study was also performed for three months indicated that optimized formulation was stable. The floating microspheres showed better result and it may be use full for prolong the drug release in stomach and improve the bioavailability. The outcome showed that the polymer ratio and stirring speed affected the size, incorporation efficiency and drug release of microspheres (> 12 h), floating time (> 12 hr) and the best results were obtained at the ratio of HPMC K4M: EC (1:6). The mean particle size of prepared floating microspheres increased but the drug release rate from the microspheres decreased as the polymer concentration increased. The developed floating microspheres of captopril may be used for prolonged drug release for at least 12 hrs, thereby improving the bioavailability and patient compliance. Key words: Floating microspheres (FDDS), captopril, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, in-vitro release studies, bioavailability

Tailoring Software Development Methodologies in Practice: A Case Study

Software development methodologies (SDM) have been traditionally defined in a prescriptive manner with an underlying assumption of universal applicability. However, as industrial practice suggests, this assumption is fundamentally flawed. Software development projects very rarely adopt a methodology in such a rigid fashion. Conversely methodologies are normally adapted to meet specific contextual characteristics. This adaptation, known as Method Tailoring (MT), generally occurs implicitly. Implicit adaptation has several drawbacks. Firstly, responsibility and consequences are not attributable to the decisions made during MT. Secondly, MT experience is not captured, thus not being shared and reused within the organization. As a consequence, implicit MT leads to reactive rather than proactive adaptation with negative effects on both productivity and efficient use of resources. In order to alleviate the problems described above, this paper proposes a framework aimed at assisting software development teams and organizations in the elicitation of their Method Tailoring processes. As a result the know-how and experience accumulated during the practice of Method Tailoring is made explicit and organized for the benefit of future projects. The framework has been applied a posteriori to a project carried out by a medium-sized software development company for the Italian national public health service

Festivals and deterioration of aquatic environment: A case study of Idol immersion in Tapi River, India

In the civil society different festivals are celebrated, these are the integral part of human life and many of festivals are religious, seasonal change and culturally important. The present study elucidated environmental impact of Ganesh idol immersion on water quality of Tapi River and for this purpose water samples were collected during different durations (pre immersion, during immersion and post immersion) from selected sampling stations or idol immersion points of Tapi River. The important water quality parameters like pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, total hardness, total alkalinity, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, oil & grease and total calcium were analysed for the study. Result shows that dissolved oxygen was depleted while remaining parameter were increased during the idol immersion and it was concluded that aquatic ecosystem of Tapi river was deteriorated and pollution and nutrient load were increased due to these religious activities. The celebration of festivals and these religious activities can’t stop but pollution can reduce to save the river