Complex Traffic Network Modeling & Area-wide Hierarchical Control

This thesis presents a novel methodology to divide a traffic region into subregions such that in each subregion a Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram (MFD) can be used to determine the state of that subregion. The region division is based on the theory of complex networks. We exploit the inherent network characteristics through PageRank centrality algorithm to identify the most significant nodes in the traffic network. We use these significant nodes as the seeds for a Voronoi diagram based partitioning mechanism of the network. A network wide hierarchical control framework is then presented which controls these sub regions individually and the network as a whole. At the subregion level a feedback controller is designed based on MFD concept. At the network level we develop a dynamic toll pricing algorithm to control the inflows into the network. This dynamic toll pricing is coupled with the subregion controller and thus forming a network wide hierarchical control. We use optimal control theory to design the dynamic toll pricing. A cost function is designed and then Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation is used to derive an optimal control law that uses real-time information. The objective of the dynamic toll algorithm is to strike a balance between the toll price and optimal traffic conditions in each of the subregions. A case study is performed for the Manhattan area in New York city and results are provided through simulations

A Bridge Between Users and Library Professionals Amid and Post COVID-19 Pandemic: Use of Virtual Reference Services in the Top Five University Libraries of World

The paper discusses the importance of ICT in rendering Virtual Reference Services (VRS) in libraries during and post Covid-19. The application of ICT is not a new phenomenon in libraries. Still, the disclosure of physical buildings is a nudge for adapting technology to make the libraries relevant during and after the pandemic. The study highlights the various ways to render virtual reference services delivery that libraries can provide to their users by harnessing Information and Communication technology. The paper discusses the use of virtual reference services such as email, webform, VoIP, instant messaging, videoconferencing and online chat in libraries to serve their users swiftly in the tough time of Covid-19. The paper investigated the various modes of providing virtual reference services in the top five universities as per the QS World University Rankings 2021, which are Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the University of Oxford. The content analysis of websites was used to collect data. These libraries were selected deliberately as there are rendering different modes of Virtual reference services. VRS act as a bridge to facilitate users during a pandemic and reshape and enhance the library services after the pandemic. The article is an effort to create awareness among libraries to utilise the virtual reference service and support their users virtually

Social Media in contemporary marketing: YouTube Advertising for the Guerrillas

The guerrillas of the modern day marketing arena have been eyeing the innovative strategies to promote their products. They aim to grab the maximum attention with least amount the capital spent. This is what guerrilla marketing revolves around. YouTube has evolved as one such platform. It is being used as a powerful medium by the marketing managers to advertise their products on a world-wide stage by less spending. The paper throws light on the effectiveness of YouTube as a guerrilla strategy to know what attributes in a YouTube advertisement attracts the viewers to view and like it. Content analysis of fifty advertisements on YouTube of the consumer electronics segment has been done to know how the audience response to this new form of advertising platform

Content Analysis of Websites of University Libraries in Delhi: A Study

Purpose - This study aims to evaluate the library websites of selected state and deemed universities in Delhi, capital city of India to ascertain how effectively libraries are leveraging their respective websites to provide library related information on their websites. Design/ Methodology - The study adopted the checklist technique to evaluate the content of library’s websites. A comprehensive checklist was designed on the basis of previous studies. It consists of 6 main aspects which are further divided into 66 elements. Findings -The study reveals that library related information such as general library information, about collection, links to e-resources, library services, currency and authority of websites are presented on the university library websites but not to the full extent. Web 2.0 tools are used by least libraries where only 2 libraries have library Facebook page, and only one has a library blog. DTU scored the highest, 45 out of 66 and Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) scored the least 13 out of 66 in overall ranking of websites based on elements presented on their websites. Originality/Value – The study suggested that libraries need to incorporate more information on their websites to promote the use of library resources and services. Libraries need to have a dedicated website and provide all the valuable and relevant information related to the library on their websites. This paper will guide librarians to effectively utilise and improve the quality of library websites. Keywords - Content Analysis, Library Website, University Libraries Paper Type - Research Pape

Generative Modeling of Human Behavior: Social Interaction and Networked Coordination in Shared Facilities

Urbanization is bringing together various modes of transport, and with that, there are challenges to maintaining the safety of all road users, especially vulnerable road users (VRUs). Therefore, there is a need for street designs that encourages cooperation and resource sharing among road users. Shared space is a street design approach that softens the demarcation of vehicles and pedestrian traffic by reducing traffic rules, traffic signals, road markings, and regulations. Understanding the interactions and trajectory formations of various VRUs will facilitate the design of safer shared spaces. It will also lead to many applications, such as implementing reliable ad hoc communication networks. In line with this motivation, this dissertation develops a methodology for generating VRUs\u27 trajectories that accounts for their walking behaviors and social interactions. The performed study leads to three traffic scenarios covering most pedestrian behavior and interactions traffic scenarios - group interactions, fixed obstacle interaction, and moving obstacle interaction. To implement the different scenarios in shared space facilities, we develop a receding horizon optimization-based trajectory planning algorithm capable of modeling pedestrian behavior and interactions. The generated trajectories are validated using two benchmark pedestrian datasets – DUT and TrajNet++. The validation is shown to yield low or near-zero Mean Euclidean Distance and Final Displacement Error values supporting the performance validity of the proposed generative algorithm. We further demonstrate the application of generated trajectories to predict the communication network topology formation, which leads to a stable network formation when integrated within ad hoc protocols. The developed pedestrian trajectory planning algorithm can be expanded as a simulation framework to provide a more realistic demonstration of how pedestrians use traffic facilities and interact with their environment. Moreover, the model\u27s applicability is not limited to road traffic and shared spaces. It can find broader applications such as the emergency evacuation of buildings, large events, airports, and railway stations

MONITOR THE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON RESTRICTED ANTIBIOTICS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF INDIA

Objective: The present study was to monitor the use of antibiotics with restricted antibiotics in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this studywas to observe number of patients receiving antibiotic(s), to observe number of patient receiving restricted antibiotics(s), number of restrictedantibiotic(s) forms filled in 48 hrs, observing number of instances where within three or more than three antibiotics given for more than 3 days, anyadverse drug reaction and medication error related in ICUs.Methods: The study was done prospectively in ICUs of a tertiary care hospital. 200 patients were selected from ICUs on a random basis. The durationstudy was 6.5 months. All adult patients admitted in ICUs who received an antibiotic therapy within 24 hrs of admission were included. Outpatientdepartment patients and patient admitted in the wards were not included in the study.Results: Among 200 patients, the total number of patients received antibiotic were 188 (94%), while 12 (6%) patients were not received. Among188 patients, 51 patients received restricted antibiotics, i.e., 27.2% and 137 patients not received restricted antibiotic, i.e. 72.8%. Out of 188 patientsreceived antibiotics including restricted antibiotics only 31 patients received three or more than three antibiotics for three or more than three days,which are 16.4% and 157 patients, not received three or more than three antibiotics for three or more than three days which were 83.6%. Accordingto Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, physician prescribed restricted antibiotic must have to fill restricted antimicrobial form, among 51 patients,only 8 (15.6%) forms were received.Keywords: Antibiotics, Restricted antibiotics, Outpatient department, Antimicrobial stewardship program, Intensive care units

Infrastructure-less Vehicular Communication System Using Li-Fi Technology

This paper introduces vehicle to vehicle (v2v) communication system using Li-Fi technology. The lightning quick transfer of information between vehicles becomes mandatory when danger is imminent as it can instantly diffuse a potentially hazardous situation. Connected cars will help cities and states cut down on congestion and improve safety. On the road, cars will communicate with each other, automatically transmitting data such as speed, position, and direction, and send alerts to each other if a crash seems imminent. We consider the several scenarios: 1) communication between car and RSU 2) inter vehicular communication 3) communication based network system. The reach ability, delay in transmission and percentage collisions are evaluated with respect to the average distance between cars using pixel oriented visualization. With the help of LEDs fitted in the car, we can transmit data seamlessly using rapid pulse of light over VANET (Vehicular Ad-hoc network) for high speed communications

External fixation versus plating in intra-articular distal end radius fractures

Background: Distal end radius fractures are one of the most common encountered fractures in Orthopaedics. Prompt intervention in terms of volar locking plate or external fixation can be performed. The purpose of this study was to derive a better outcome as to which type of fixation is a better choice for the treatment of intra-articular distal end radius fracture.Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted with 30 patients and comparison was made between the plating and external fixator group using the modified clinical-scoring system of Green and O'Brien and demerit point system at each follow-up.Results: In the plating group 14 patient’s fracture united in 6th week and 1 patient’s fracture united at 8th week this result was similar to the external fixator group were 14 patient’s fracture united in 6th week and 1 patient’s fracture united at 8th week. 1 patient each developed wrist joint stiffness and delayed union in the plating group as compared to the external fixator group were 1 patient each developed wrist joint stiffness, delayed union and broken implant in situ and pin tract infection.Conclusions: During the initial follow ups the functional outcome of the plating group were better than the external fixator group but as the time passed at the final follow up plating was only marginally better than the external fixator group. It was seen that radiologically plating lead to a better correction of all the parameters as compared to external fixator group

arrayMap 2014: an updated cancer genome resource

Somatic copy number aberrations (CNA) represent a mutation type encountered in the majority of cancer genomes. Here, we present the 2014 edition of arrayMap (http://www.arraymap.org), a publicly accessible collection of pre-processed oncogenomic array data sets and CNA profiles, representing a vast range of human malignancies. Since the initial release, we have enhanced this resource both in content and especially with regard to data mining support. The 2014 release of arrayMap contains more than 64 000 genomic array data sets, representing about 250 tumor diagnoses. Data sets included in arrayMap have been assembled from public repositories as well as additional resources, and integrated by applying custom processing pipelines. Online tools have been upgraded for a more flexible array data visualization, including options for processing user provided, non-public data sets. Data integration has been improved by mapping to multiple editions of the human reference genome, with the majority of the data now being available for the UCSC hg18 as well as GRCh37 versions. The large amount of tumor CNA data in arrayMap can be freely downloaded by users to promote data mining projects, and to explore special events such as chromothripsis-like genome pattern

Topology-Aware Uncertainty for Image Segmentation

Segmentation of curvilinear structures such as vasculature and road networks is challenging due to relatively weak signals and complex geometry/topology. To facilitate and accelerate large scale annotation, one has to adopt semi-automatic approaches such as proofreading by experts. In this work, we focus on uncertainty estimation for such tasks, so that highly uncertain, and thus error-prone structures can be identified for human annotators to verify. Unlike most existing works, which provide pixel-wise uncertainty maps, we stipulate it is crucial to estimate uncertainty in the units of topological structures, e.g., small pieces of connections and branches. To achieve this, we leverage tools from topological data analysis, specifically discrete Morse theory (DMT), to first capture the structures, and then reason about their uncertainties. To model the uncertainty, we (1) propose a joint prediction model that estimates the uncertainty of a structure while taking the neighboring structures into consideration (inter-structural uncertainty); (2) propose a novel Probabilistic DMT to model the inherent uncertainty within each structure (intra-structural uncertainty) by sampling its representations via a perturb-and-walk scheme. On various 2D and 3D datasets, our method produces better structure-wise uncertainty maps compared to existing works.Comment: 19 pages, 13 figures, 5 table