The Problem of Mutual Exclusion: A New Distributed Solution

In both centralized and distributed systems, processes cooperate and compete with each other to access the system resources. Some of these resources must be used exclusively. It is then required that only one process access the shared resource at a given time. This is referred to as the problem of mutual exclusion. Several synchronization mechanisms have been proposed to solve this problem. In this thesis, an effort has been made to compile most of the existing mutual exclusion solutions for both shared memory and message-passing based systems. A new distributed algorithm, which uses a dynamic information structure, is presented to solve the problem of mutual exclusion. It is proved to be free from both deadlock and starvation. This solution is shown to be economical in terms of the number of message exchanges required per critical section execution. Procedures for recovery from both site and link failures are also given

Carbon-Based Materials for De-Fluoridation of Water: Current Status and Challenges

World is facing scarcity of pure and safe drinkable water and third world war would be based on this issue. Recently ground water is excessively used to meet drinking water needs. Water is the principal source of fluoride in daily intake. Excessive fluoride content in ground water due to leaching from fluoride bearing rocks, pose a serious threat worldwide. Concentration of fluoride in drinking water beyond the recommended standards may lead to serious health problems such as skeletal problems, restricted movement, severe anemia and fluorosis. De-fluoridation of water is quite difficult and expensive. Various materials and technologies have been developed to solve this world wide problem. Ion-exchange, precipitation, electro-chemical, reverse osmosis and adsorption are most widely applied methods for de-fluoridation of water. The main highlight of this chapter is to identify and compare carbon-based materials for de-fluoridation of water on the basis of their efficiency, cost and availability. Challenges associated with the development and use of cost effective and environmental friendly materials for de-fluoridation of water have also been discussed

Practical guidance on insulin injection practice in diabetes self-management in the Indian setting: an expert consensus statement

This consensus statement aimed to provide a simple and easily implementable practical educational guide- line for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients regarding insulin injection practice in diabetes self- management in the Indian setting. A group of experts analysed published data from guidelines, clinical trials and real world evidence to reach consensus recommendations on optimal insulin injection practices in terms of a) the injection sites (preparation of site of injection, choosing the injec- tion site, site rotation), b) choice of device and storage of insulins, and c) safety precautions, sharp disposal practice and complications. Findings from Global and Indian arm of 2014-2015 ITQ Study were considered to emphasize a need for improved practice by HCPs covering all the vital topics essential to proper injection habits. The consensus statement provides a simple and easily implementable practical educational guideline for HCPs and patients to optimize insulin injection practices in accordance with recent advances in device manufac- turing, newer research findings, and updated interna- tional guidelines as well as widespread concerns about neglected safety precautions such as single-patient use of pens and appropriate sharp disposal practices.This consensus statement aimed to provide a simple and easily implementable practical educational guide- line for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients regarding insulin injection practice in diabetes self- management in the Indian setting. A group of experts analysed published data from guidelines, clinical trials and real world evidence to reach consensus recommendations on optimal insulin injection practices in terms of a) the injection sites (preparation of site of injection, choosing the injec- tion site, site rotation), b) choice of device and storage of insulins, and c) safety precautions, sharp disposal practice and complications. Findings from Global and Indian arm of 2014-2015 ITQ Study were considered to emphasize a need for improved practice by HCPs covering all the vital topics essential to proper injection habits. The consensus statement provides a simple and easily implementable practical educational guideline for HCPs and patients to optimize insulin injection practices in accordance with recent advances in device manufac- turing, newer research findings, and updated interna- tional guidelines as well as widespread concerns about neglected safety precautions such as single-patient use of pens and appropriate sharp disposal practices

Microvasular and macrovascular complications in diabetes mellitus: Distinct or continuum?

Diabetes and related complications are associated with long-term damage and failure of various organ systems. The line of demarcation between the pathogenic mechanisms of microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes and differing responses to therapeutic interventions is blurred. Diabetes induces changes in the microvasculature, causing extracellular matrix protein synthesis, and capillary basement membrane thickening which are the pathognomic features of diabetic microangiopathy. These changes in conjunction with advanced glycation end products, oxidative stress, low grade inflammation, and neovascularization of vasa vasorum can lead to macrovascular complications. Hyperglycemia is the principal cause of microvasculopathy but also appears to play an important role in causation of macrovasculopathy. There is thought to be an intersection between micro and macro vascular complications, but the two disorders seem to be strongly interconnected, with micro vascular diseases promoting atherosclerosis through processes such as hypoxia and changes in vasa vasorum. It is thus imperative to understand whether microvascular complications distinctly precede macrovascular complications or do both of them progress simultaneously as a continuum. This will allow re-focusing on the clinical issues with a unifying perspective which can improve type 2 diabetes mellitus outcomes

Implications of CVD-REAL 2 study for Indian diabetic population

South Asians are reported to have a higher risk of developing macrovascular complications of Diabetes, i.e., coronary artery and cerebrovascular diseases as compared to Caucasians. Literature evidence has shown that among the currently available agents, the sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) offer a rational approach for management of T2DM over other glucose lowering therapies because of their insulinindependent action, modest weight loss, mild reduction in BP and low risk of hypoglycaemia. Recently, CVDREAL 2 study was conducted across six countries (Israel, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Australia) to determine the CV benefits of various SGLT2i in >400,000 T2DM patients in a realworld scenario. Around 75% of the patients in this study were from the AsiaPacific region. Among all the available SGLT2i, most of the study population was exposed to dapagliflozin, contributing to 75% of the total exposure time. The CVDREAL 2 study favoured SGLT2i over other glucose lowering drugs for lower risk of death, HHF, MI and stroke. All these points suggest that the results of CVDREAL 2 study can be incorporated in the high CVD risk Indian population who need much more aggressive treatment for diabetes than other patient populations

Online Delivery of Land Titles to Rural Farmers in Karnataka, India

The Bhoomi (meaning land) project for online delivery of land records in Karnataka, India- one of the country's 26 states- shows that making government services available to citizens in a transparent and efficient manner can empower them to challenge corrupt and arbitrary bureaucratic action. It also illustrates how well designed e-governance projects can be used to take discretion away from civil servants and provide benefits to rural farmers.project, Karnataka, India, bureaucratic